The lagging strand is one of the two strands of DNA being synthesized during replication, characterized by its discontinuous synthesis in short segments called Okazaki fragments. This occurs because DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction, meaning that while one strand (the leading strand) is synthesized continuously, the lagging strand must be synthesized in pieces, which are later joined together. Understanding the lagging strand is crucial for grasping how DNA replication ensures accuracy and efficiency in copying genetic information.
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