Q13 / 200 · MHT CET - Medical 2026 (24 April Shift 2) · Biology
During DNA replication, Okazaki fragments are used to elongate _________.
- Athe lagging strand towards replication fork.
- Correct answerBthe lagging strand away from the replication fork.
- Cthe leading strand away from replication fork.
- Dthe leading strand towards replication fork.
Solution
DNA replication occurs in the $5' \rightarrow 3'$ direction.
The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the direction of the advancing replication fork.
The lagging strand is synthesized discontinuously in short segments known as Okazaki fragments. Because DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides in the $5' \rightarrow 3'$ direction, the synthesis of these fragments occurs in the direction away from the replication fork.
Therefore, Okazaki fragments are used to elongate the lagging strand away from the replication fork.
Answer: the lagging strand away from the replication fork.
The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the direction of the advancing replication fork.
The lagging strand is synthesized discontinuously in short segments known as Okazaki fragments. Because DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides in the $5' \rightarrow 3'$ direction, the synthesis of these fragments occurs in the direction away from the replication fork.
Therefore, Okazaki fragments are used to elongate the lagging strand away from the replication fork.
Answer: the lagging strand away from the replication fork.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'B'.