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: -One strand is synthesized continuously in the direction of the replication fork; this is called the leading strand. The other strand is synthesized in a direction away from the replication fork, in short stretches of DNA known as Okazaki fragments. This strand is known as the lagging strand.

Detailed explanation-3: -The leading strand is synthesized in the same direction as the movement of the replication fork, and the lagging strand is synthesized in the opposite direction.

Detailed explanation-4: -The major difference between a lagging and leading strand is that the lagging strand replicates discontinuously forming short fragments, whereas the leading strand replicates continuously.