Okazaki Fragments

Definition

Short sequences of DNA nucleotides synthesized discontinuously and later linked together by the enzyme DNA ligase to create the lagging strand during DNA replication.

Related terms

DNA Ligase: An enzyme that connects two fragments of DNA to make a single fragment.

Lagging Strand:

The strand of DNA that is synthesized discontinuously in short segments opposite to the direction of replication fork movement.

Leading Strand:

The template strand of the DNA molecule that is replicated continuously in the 3'→5' direction.