AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -DNA ligase joins the Okazaki fragments together into a single DNA molecule. Helicase opens up the DNA at the replication fork.

Detailed explanation-2: -DNA ligases are best known for their role in joining adjacent Okazaki fragments at the lagging strand of the replication fork; however, they are essentially involved in any process that requires sealing of phosphodiester bonds from the DNA backbone.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Okazaki fragments should be attached into one continuous strand once replication occurs. This is achieved by the DNA ligase that seals the sugar-phosphate backbone of the Okazaki fragments. This enables the replication of two continuous, identical daughter DNA strands.

Detailed explanation-4: -The enzyme DNA ligase joins these fragments to produce a single, continuous strand of DNA. It does so by creating bonds called phosphodiester bonds between the sugar and phosphate groups of nucleotides on adjacent fragments.

Detailed explanation-5: -The DNA ligase enzyme functions to form the phosphodiester bond (type of covalent bond) between the hydroxyl end (three prime-3’ end) of one nucleotide and the phosphate (five prime-5’) end of another. Therefore, the said enzyme helps in the linking (or joining) of DNA strands.