AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Okazaki fragments are short sections of DNA formed at the time of discontinuous synthesis of the lagging strand during replication of DNA. It is essential as it allows for the synthesis of both the daughter strands required for cell division.

Detailed explanation-2: -Formation of Okazaki Fragments Okazaki fragments are formed on the lagging strand, as DNA polymerase synthesizes a section and then must wait for helicase to open up more of the DNA helix upstream. As helicase opens the DNA, primase comes in and lays down a new complementary RNA primer.

Detailed explanation-3: -Okazaki fragments are present in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. DNA molecules in eukaryotes differ from the circular molecules of prokaryotes in that they are larger and usually have multiple origins of replication.

Detailed explanation-4: -Answer and Explanation: The production of Okazaki fragments in the lagging strand during replication of DNA is necessary because the new strand synthesis happens in the direction of 3’ to 5’ direction. Still, the DNA polymerase can synthesize the strand only in the 5’ to 3’ direction.

Detailed explanation-5: -On the lagging strand, DNA synthesis restarts many times as the helix unwinds, resulting in many short fragments called “Okazaki fragments.” DNA ligase joins the Okazaki fragments together into a single DNA molecule.