Okazaki fragments are associated with which essential process?

Okazaki fragments are associated with which essential process?

• A. Transcription
• B. Translation
• C. Protein folding
• D. DNA replication

Answer: (D)

Okazaki fragments come from the way DNA is replicated. The two strands of DNA are antiparallel, and DNA polymerase can only synthesize DNA in the 5' to 3' direction. On the strand oriented away from the replication fork, this forces synthesis to occur in short, separate pieces called Okazaki fragments, each starting with an RNA primer laid down by primase. As replication proceeds, these fragments are extended, the RNA primers are removed, and the fragments are joined by DNA ligase to form a continuous strand. This process is part of DNA replication, not transcription, translation, or protein folding.

Okazaki fragments come from the way DNA is replicated. The two strands of DNA are antiparallel, and DNA polymerase can only synthesize DNA in the 5' to 3' direction. On the strand oriented away from the replication fork, this forces synthesis to occur in short, separate pieces called Okazaki fragments, each starting with an RNA primer laid down by primase. As replication proceeds, these fragments are extended, the RNA primers are removed, and the fragments are joined by DNA ligase to form a continuous strand. This process is part of DNA replication, not transcription, translation, or protein folding.