NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Among the two newly formed strands of DNA, one is formed continuously in the 5’→ 3’ direction. This is called the leading strand. The other strand which is formed discontinuously as short fragments, is known as the lagging 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: -That is, the strand replicated codirectionally to replication-fork movement, termed the “leading” strand, is synthesized continuously, while the oppositely oriented “lagging” strand is synthesized in short “Okazaki” fragments, later joined by ligase.

Detailed explanation-4: -The continuously synthesized DNA strand is called the ‘leading strand’ and the discontinuously synthesized strand is called the ‘lagging strand’. The short, lagging strand fragments are called ‘Okazaki fragments’.

Detailed explanation-5: -The leading strand, the strand that runs 5’ to 3’, is replicated continuously. This is because it is known that the DNA polymerase is only able to synthesize in the 5’ to 3’ direction so the leading strand is in the correct orientation for the DNA polymerase so it can be replicated continuously.