Question

DNA synthesis always goes in what direction?

1) 5' to 3'
2) 3' to 5'
3) Both 5' to 3' and 3' to 5'
4) None of the above

Answer 1

DNA synthesis always goes in the 5' to 3' direction. The leading strand is synthesized in the direction of the replication fork, while the lagging strand is synthesized in the opposite direction in Okazaki fragments.

Step-by-step explanation:

The direction of DNA synthesis is always 5' to 3'. DNA polymerase reads the template strand in the 3' to 5' direction and adds nucleotides only in the 5' to 3' direction. The leading strand is synthesized in the direction of the replication fork, while replication on the lagging strand occurs in the direction away from the replication fork in short stretches of DNA called Okazaki fragments.