Question

which of the following statements correctly describes one characteristic of dna replication in eukaryotes?
helicase joins the okazaki fragments together in the lagging strand.
in the lagging strand, dna is replicated in short pieces called okazaki fragments, which are then joined together at the end of the process.
in the leading strand, dna is replicated in short pieces called okazaki fragments, which are then joined together at the end of the process.
dna is replicated in the 3 to 5 direction in the leading strand.

Explanation:

• Helicase: Helicase unwinds the DNA double - helix, not joins Okazaki fragments. DNA ligase is responsible for joining Okazaki fragments.
• Leading strand: The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the \(5'\) to \(3'\) direction.
• Lagging strand: The lagging strand is synthesized discontinuously. DNA polymerase synthesizes short fragments (Okazaki fragments) in the \(5'\) to \(3'\) direction, and these fragments are later joined by DNA ligase.

Answer:

In the lagging strand, DNA is replicated in short pieces called Okazaki fragments, which are then joined together at the end of the process.