Replication fork
The Replication Fork is the site from which DNA is synthesised. As the new strands are formed from the parental strand as it unwinds, it forms a fork shape [1]. At a replication fork, both strands are synthesised in a 5' to 3' direction. The leading strand is synthesised continuously, whereas the lagging strand is synthesised in short pieces called Okazaki fragments.
Reference
- ↑ Berg J., Tymoczko J and Stryer L. (2012) Biochemistry, 7th edition, New York: WH Freeman.fckLRPage 853