Is RNA 3 to 5?
The main enzyme involved in transcription is RNA polymerase, which uses a single-stranded DNA template to synthesize a complementary strand of RNA. Specifically, RNA polymerase builds an RNA strand in the 5′ to 3′ direction, adding each new nucleotide to the 3′ end of the strand.
Is the lagging strand 5 to 3?
Leading Strand and Lagging Strand The other strand is called the lagging strand. This is the parent strand which runs in the 5′ to 3′ direction toward the fork, and it’s replicated discontinuously.
What is the difference between a leading and lagging strand?
The leading strand of DNA undergoes complementary base pairing smoothly as it runs in the direction from 5prime to 3prime, the same as the direction in which DNA Polymerase III works. However, the lagging strand runs in the opposite direction, from 3prime to 5prime.
Why is there a leading and lagging strand in DNA?
On the leading strand, DNA synthesis occurs continuously. On the lagging strand, DNA synthesis restarts many times as the helix unwinds, resulting in many short fragments called “Okazaki fragments.” DNA ligase joins the Okazaki fragments together into a single DNA molecule.
What is the lagging strand in DNA?
The lagging strand is the strand of nascent DNA whose direction of synthesis is opposite to the direction of the growing replication fork. Because of its orientation, replication of the lagging strand is more complicated as compared to that of the leading strand.
What happens if DNA ligase is defective?
What would be the consequence(s) for DNA synthesis if DNA ligase were defective? Without DNA ligase activity, Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand would not be joined together; leading strand synthesis would be largely unaffected. Okazaki fragments are found on the strand that replicates discontinuously.