Educational objective: DNA replication occurs in the 5'--+3' d | USMLE Biochemistry Videos & Books

Educational objective: DNA replication occurs in the 5'--+3' direction on both strands. In contrast to the continuous synthesis of the leading strand, lagging strand synthesis occurs discontinuously and is composed of short stretches of RNA primer plus newly synthesized DNA segments (Okazaki fragments). As a result, lagging strand synthesis requires the repetitive action of DNA primase and DNA ligase.