leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis

Question

why it is important that leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis is coupled, and how this is accomplished in prokaryotes.

Answer 1

Prokaryotic DNA replication uses one ORI or origin of replication. The DNA strands separate forming two forks with strands running anti parallel at each fork. DNA is synthesized continuously in the 5'-3' direction (leading strand) and discontinuously in the lagging strand. The lagging strands are synthesized in pieces called Okazaki fragments which are joined together to create the longer, complete strand. At each fork the leading and lagging strand synthesis is coordinated such that both strands are synthesized at the same rate.

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Sanjay