The antiparallel polarity of the two DNA strands within the double helix affects DNA replication in that
A)it takes twice as long to replicate two strands sequentially from 5′ to 3′.
B)circular bacterial DNA does not have polarity, so a single strand can be copied twice.
C)DNA polymerases synthesizing both strands move in the direction of the replication fork, one strand is replicated discontinuously.
D)each portion of the double helix must be unwound twice so that both strands are replicated continuously.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

DNA polymerases can only synthesize DNA in the 5′ to 3′ direction. Due to the antiparallel nature of DNA, one strand (leading strand) is synthesized continuously towards the replication fork, while the other strand (lagging strand) is synthesized discontinuously in the opposite direction, forming Okazaki fragments. This process allows both strands to be replicated simultaneously as the replication fork progresses.

The Antiparallel Polarity of the Two DNA Strands Within the Double