AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -One new strand, which runs 5’ to 3’ towards the replication fork, is the easy one. This strand is made continuously, because the DNA polymerase is moving in the same direction as the replication fork. This continuously synthesized strand is called the leading strand.

Detailed explanation-2: -The leading strand is a single DNA strand that, during DNA replication, is replicated in the 3’ – 5’ direction (same direction as the replication fork). DNA is added to the leading strand continuously, one complementary base at a time.

Detailed explanation-3: -The strand that opens in the 3’ to 5’ direction towards the replication fork is referred to as the lagging strand. The strand that runs in the 5’ to 3’ direction in the replication fork is referred to as the leading strand. Replication. The strand is replicated discontinuously. The strand is replicated continuously.

Detailed explanation-4: -The primase generates short strands of RNA that bind to the single-stranded DNA to initiate DNA synthesis by the DNA polymerase. This enzyme can work only in the 5’ to 3’ direction, so it replicates the leading strand continuously.

Detailed explanation-5: -During DNA replication, leading strand synthesis occurs faster than lagging strand synthesis due to the fact that Okazaki fragment synthesis is more involved (i.e. uses many RNA primers and requires constant reloading of DNA Pol onto the DNA); however, the cells makes up for the difference at the end.