Explain in a veryshort and simple way what is meant by the “lagging” strand and why this occurs.
The "lagging" strand is one of the two strands of DNA that is formed during DNA replication. It is called "lagging" because it is synthesized in short segments known as Okazaki fragments, which are later joined together. This occurs because DNA replication can only occur in one direction, causing one of the strands to be synthesized in a discontinuous manner.
The lagging strand is one of the two strands of DNA that are formed during DNA replication. It is called the lagging strand because it is synthesized in short segments, known as Okazaki fragments, that are later linked together.
This occurs because DNA replication happens in a specific direction, called the 5' to 3' direction. The leading strand is able to be synthesized continuously towards the replication fork because its orientation matches the replication direction. However, the lagging strand is oriented in the opposite direction, so it is synthesized in short fragments away from the replication fork. These fragments are then later joined together by an enzyme called DNA ligase, resulting in the complete replication of both strands of DNA.