Explain why DNA replication is bidirectional and includes both a leading and lagging strand
The leading strand can add continuously right when the DNA strand unwinds. The lagging strand must wait until most of the strand is unwound and then they add nucleotides in Okazaki fragments, so noncontinuous.
DNA replication is bidirectional because it occurs simultaneously in both directions from the origin of replication. The formation of two replication forks provides an opportunity for replication to occur in two directions. In replication, the two strands of the double helix are separated, and each strand is used as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand. Therefore, DNA replication creates two new DNA molecules that are each partially new and partially old.
During the process of DNA replication, the leading strand is synthesized continuously in the 5′ to 3′ direction by DNA polymerase, which follows the replication fork as it opens. On the other hand, the lagging strand is synthesized in the opposite direction, in short fragments known as Okazaki fragments. This is because the replication fork is moving in the opposite direction for the lagging strand, making it impossible for continuous replication to occur as it’s happening on the leading strand.
Thus, DNA replication includes both a leading and lagging strand to ensure that the entire DNA double helix is replicated efficiently from the origin of replication, and to maintain the stability and integrity of the genetic material in every cell division.
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