CBP

• RNA primase places short strands of RNA called primers on the strands to be replicated.
• DNA polymerase starts adding nucleotides to the primers by complementary base pairing with the template strand. DNA polymerase will connect the added nucleotides together in a chain.
• DNA polymerase also proof reads the strands to correct any mistakes.
• DNA synthesis can only occur in the 5’ to 3’ directions and the newly formed strands must be antiparallel to the template strands. One newly formed strand is formed in the direction of the replication fork so may be formed continuously. This is known as the leading strand. The other new strand is formed in the opposite direction of the replication fork and is therefore formed in fragment called the Okazaki fragments. This is known as the lagging strand.