Question

In which direction does the replication fork move as dna replication occurs?

Answer 1

DNA replication occurs in the 5 prime (5') to 3 prime (3') direction.
I'm sure you've heard this many times. I tutor in genetics, and all of my students can rattle that off. Less understand what it means.

First, understanding what 5' and 3' mean is important. DNA is composed of a ribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a base (A,T,G,C). The sugar has a phosphate group attached to its fifth carbon, and a hydroxyl group on its 3rd carbon. Nucleotides (separate components of DNA) are linked by the phosphate group and the hydroxyl group. So, every nucleotide is linked at the phosphate group and the hydroxyl group besides two - the two nucleotides at either end of the strand of DNA. The one that leaves a phosphate group exposed is called the 5' end of DNA, and the one that leaves a hydroxyl group exposed is called the 3' end of DNA.

A problem with many students just memorizing that replication occurs in the 5' to 3' direction is that there are two strands of DNA involved in replication. DNA polymerase (the major enzyme responsible for replication) reads the already existing strand of DNA in the 3' to 5' direction, and creates the new strand of DNA in the 5' to 3' direction (meaning that it adds nucleotides to the 3' end of the new strand).

Answer 2

DNA is always synthesized in the 5’ to 3’ direction.

Replication fork is form within the nucleus during DNA replication and usually created by the enzyme helicase. Helicase function by breaking the hydrogen bond that holds the DNA strands together and the strands will serve as template for the leading and lagging strands. Hence, DNA is always synthesized in the 5’ to 3’ direction.