Question

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

Explanation:

• Leading strand: DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA continuously in the \(5'\) to \(3'\) direction.
• Lagging strand: DNA is synthesized discontinuously as short fragments (Okazaki fragments) in the \(5'\) to \(3'\) direction. These fragments are later joined by DNA ligase.
• Helicase: Unwinds the DNA double - helix, not involved in joining Okazaki fragments.

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.