Question

Why do you see two different types of replicating strands in the given DNA replication fork? Explain. Name these strands.

Answer 1

The leading strand is continuously synthesized and is elongated during this process to expose the template that is used for the lagging strand(Okazaki fragments). During the process of DNA replication, DNA and RNA primers are removed from the lagging strand of DNA to allow Okazaki fragments to bind to. the lagging strand needs to be replicated in the opposite direction of the way the replication fork is proceeding. And DNA polymerase can proceed only 5' to 3'. Thus, short fragments are produced as the replication fork expands.

So one of the strands is named as a continuous strand and the second one is the discontinuous strand.