- A It adds nucleotides only in the 5 prime to 3 prime direction on the new strand
- B It adds nucleotides only in the 3 prime to 5 prime direction on the new strand
- C It synthesises both strands in the 3 prime to 5 prime direction
- D Direction depends on which strand is being copied
Correct answer: A. It adds nucleotides only in the 5 prime to 3 prime direction on the new strand
Explanation: DNA polymerase always extends a new strand in the 5 prime to 3 prime direction, regardless of which template strand is being copied; this is why one strand is synthesised continuously and the other discontinuously.
Concept context
DNA structure, replication, transcription, translation, the genetic code, and gene regulation (lac operon). The single most important chapter for NEET molecular biology.