Question

Why are Okazaki fragments necessary?

Answer 1

Okazaki fragments in DNA replication:

1. Okazaki fragments are needed for the process of DNA replication.
2. In the process of DNA replication, DNA makes multiple copies of itself.
3. It is known as biological polymerization, which proceeds in a sequence of initiation, elongation, & termination.
4. It is an enzyme-catalyzed reaction.
5. DNA Polymerase is the main enzyme in the replication process.
   1. Initiation: For replication to begin there is a particular region known as the origin of replication. This is the point where replication originates.
   2. Elongation: It is unidirectional i.e. DNA is always polymerized only in a 5′ to 3′ direction. Therefore, in one strand (the template 3‘→5‘) it is continuous, hence called continuous replication while on another strand (the template 5‘→3‘) it is discontinuous replication. They occur as fragments called Okazaki fragments. The enzyme known as DNA ligase performs the function of joining them later.
   3. Termination: Termination of replication occurs in different ways in different organisms.
6. In E.coli like organisms, chromosomes are circular.
7. It happens when two replication forks between the two terminals meet each other.
8. Ligase is an enzyme that joins together the Okazaki fragments of the discontinuous DNA strands.