Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The extension process in DNA replication is the phase where new DNA strands are synthesized by adding nucleotides to the primer, which is complementary to the template strand.
Related terms
Primer: A short strand of RNA or DNA (generally about 18-22 bases) that serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis.