Question

DNA replication is bidirectional and discontinuous; explain your understanding of those concepts.

a) Replication occurs at both ends of the DNA strand
b) Replication proceeds in one direction only
c) Replication involves the synthesis of both leading and lagging strands
d) Replication occurs simultaneously in all directions

Answer 1

DNA replication is bidirectional, meaning it occurs in both directions from the origin of replication. It is also discontinuous, resulting in the lagging strand being synthesized in short, discontinuous stretches called Okazaki fragments.

Step-by-step explanation:

DNA replication allows for the simultaneous replication of both the leading and lagging strands of DNA.

Discontinuous replication refers to the fact that the lagging strand is synthesized in short, discontinuous stretches called Okazaki fragments. This is because the lagging strand is synthesized in the opposite direction of the replication fork, and DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction.

Overall, DNA replication involves the synthesis of both the leading and lagging strands, with the leading strand being synthesized continuously and the lagging strand being synthesized discontinuously.