Question

which statement about dna replication is false? view available hint(s) dna polymerase iii builds a new strand by adding dna nucleotides one at a time. the lagging strand is made of a series of fragments that must be joined together to make a continuous strand. because the two strands of original or parental dna run in opposite directions, the new strands must be made in different ways. the two strands of original or parental dna are separated during dna replication. dna ligase adds nucleotides to the lagging strand.

Explanation:

• DNA polymerase III is responsible for adding DNA nucleotides one at a time to build new strands, so the first statement is true.
• The lagging strand is synthesized as Okazaki fragments that are later joined by DNA ligase to form a continuous strand, so the second statement is true.
• The two parental DNA strands are antiparallel, so the new strands (leading and lagging) are synthesized in different ways (continuous for leading, discontinuous for lagging), so the third statement is true.
• DNA replication starts with the separation of the two parental DNA strands, so the fourth statement is true.
• DNA ligase's role is to join Okazaki fragments (by forming phosphodiester bonds between them), not to add nucleotides. Nucleotides are added by DNA polymerases. So the statement "DNA ligase adds nucleotides to the lagging strand" is false.

Answer:

DNA ligase adds nucleotides to the lagging strand.