Because the original DNA strands are complementary and run antiparallel, only one new strand can begin at the 3' end of the template DNA and grow continuously as the point of replication (the replication fork) moves along the template DNA. The other strand must grow in the opposite direction because it is complementary, not identical to the template strand. The result of this side's discontiguous replication is the production of a series of short sections of new DNA called Okazaki fragments (after their discoverer, a Japanese researcher). To make sure that this new strand of short segments is made into a continuous strand, the sections are joined by the action of an enzyme called DNA ligase which LIGATES the pieces together by forming the missing phosphodiester bonds!

Image Source: http://esg-www.mit.edu:8001/esgbio/dogma/repl.html

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The last step is for an enzyme to come along and remove the......

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Title: Dna
Approximate Word Count: 548
Approximate Pages: 3 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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