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There are two main reasons why the lagging strand is synthesized in a discontinuous manner. One you would need to have triphosphates on the 3' side of nuclesoside (3'-dNTPs) when "proofing" the strand, this would require an evolving of an entirely different set of enzymes to make 3'-dNTPs, as well as to use them. Two, you would need to have polymerases that can add a 5'-dNTP to a 5' end of a growing chain, and this is chemically unfavored due to the ease of repairing DNA errors by the 3' exonuclease activity of DNA polymerase.

For the first reason, when DNA polymerase is "proof-reading" it removes an incorrect nucleotide and leaves a 3' OH. If this were the lagging strand, removal of a base would leave a 5' phosphate. Next, for addition of the correct nucleotide, a 5' phosphate bond would be cleaved to add to the 3' OH, this is a high-energy bond that is cleaved, which provides energy for polymerization. If it were the 5' phosphate, the addition would be of the 3'OH on the correct nucleotide. This would be a very slow process because there is no high-energy bond to be cleaved for addition of the 3'OH to the 5' phosphate.

For the second reason, a whole new set of polymerases would have to be made because currently, the 5' dNTPs are added to the 5' triphosphate of the 3'OH on the growing strand. If you were to synthesize in the 3-5 direction, the 3'OH on the 5' dNTP would be added to the 5' triphosphate on the growing end.

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What are leading strands?

the two strand are antiparallel and the new strand must be formed on the old(parent) strand in opposite directions one of the new strand is formed as a continuous occur in long chain in the 5'_3' directions on 3'_5' strand of dna this is called the leading strand..


What are the 4 nitrogenous bases associated with DNA replication?

The four nitrogenous bases associated with DNA replication are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). They pair up in a specific manner - adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine - during the process of DNA replication to ensure accurate copying of genetic information.


Why does DNA replication have to be in an anti-parallel direction?

DNA replication occurs in an anti-parallel direction because the DNA helix is composed of two strands running in opposite directions. This ensures that the new DNA strand is synthesized in a continuous manner without interruptions. The anti-parallel arrangement allows for the complementary base pairing that is necessary for accurate replication.


How is the battalion formed when it participates as a separate element of a larger formation or when space is limited?

in a mass formation in the same manner as forming a company mass


What enzyme directs DNA replication?

the chains are first separated by enzymes called helicases.the helicase enzymes move along the DNA molecule and break the hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases separating the chains. then another enzyme called DNA polymerases comes and separates them even more creating new DNA molecules with new DNA and old DNA.

Related Questions

What is the significance of the 3' to 5' directionality in DNA replication and how does it impact the synthesis of new DNA strands?

The 3' to 5' directionality in DNA replication is significant because DNA polymerase can only add new nucleotides to the 3' end of the growing DNA strand. This means that DNA replication occurs in a continuous manner on one strand (leading strand) and in a discontinuous manner on the other strand (lagging strand), resulting in the formation of Okazaki fragments. These fragments are later joined together by DNA ligase to form a complete new DNA strand.


What is lagging on Metal Gear Solid 4?

Lagging is a gaming term that refers to a slow internet connection. When your or other people's characters seem to stop in place, then appear several steps ahead, that is when you know you are lagging. This happens because your internet connection is too slow to update the game in a timely manner.


What are leading strands?

the two strand are antiparallel and the new strand must be formed on the old(parent) strand in opposite directions one of the new strand is formed as a continuous occur in long chain in the 5'_3' directions on 3'_5' strand of dna this is called the leading strand..


What is the role of the leading strand in DNA replication?

The leading strand in DNA replication serves as a template for the continuous synthesis of a new complementary strand of DNA. It is replicated in a continuous manner by DNA polymerase, allowing for efficient and accurate replication of the entire DNA molecule.


What is the significance of the 5' to 3' directionality in DNA replication and how does it impact the synthesis of new DNA strands?

The 5' to 3' directionality in DNA replication is significant because DNA polymerase, the enzyme responsible for building new DNA strands, can only add nucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction. This means that the new DNA strand is synthesized in a continuous manner on one strand (leading strand) and in short fragments on the other strand (lagging strand). This impacts the synthesis of new DNA strands by ensuring that the genetic information is accurately copied and maintained during cell division.


How does the ssb protein facilitate and regulate the process of DNA replication?

The ssb protein helps in DNA replication by binding to single-stranded DNA, protecting it from damage and preventing it from forming secondary structures. This allows other proteins involved in replication to access the DNA and carry out the process efficiently. Additionally, ssb protein helps regulate the replication process by interacting with other proteins and enzymes involved in DNA replication, ensuring that it occurs accurately and in a coordinated manner.


What are the 4 nitrogenous bases associated with DNA replication?

The four nitrogenous bases associated with DNA replication are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). They pair up in a specific manner - adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine - during the process of DNA replication to ensure accurate copying of genetic information.


Do you Think The way a planets moons form is similar to or different from the way the planets formed around the sun?

Obviously they formed in the same manner...Gravity is Gravity!


During replication what is the function of the enzyme DNA polymerase?

DNA polymerase is responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands by adding nucleotides in a complementary manner to the existing template DNA strand during replication. It also proofreads and corrects errors in the newly synthesized DNA strand, ensuring accuracy of the genetic information.


What is the significance of DNA replication occurring in the 5' to 3' direction?

DNA replication occurring in the 5' to 3' direction is significant because it allows for the accurate copying of genetic information. This directionality ensures that the new DNA strand is synthesized in a continuous manner, which is essential for maintaining the integrity and stability of the genetic material.


Why does DNA replication have to be in an anti-parallel direction?

DNA replication occurs in an anti-parallel direction because the DNA helix is composed of two strands running in opposite directions. This ensures that the new DNA strand is synthesized in a continuous manner without interruptions. The anti-parallel arrangement allows for the complementary base pairing that is necessary for accurate replication.


How does DNA polymerase move along the DNA strand, from 3' to 5' direction, during replication?

DNA polymerase moves along the DNA strand in the 3' to 5' direction during replication by adding new nucleotides to the growing strand in a continuous manner. It reads the template strand in the 3' to 5' direction and synthesizes the new strand in the 5' to 3' direction. This process ensures accurate replication of the DNA molecule.