How is the sequence of the new strand determined during replication?

How is the sequence of the new strand determined during replication?

• A. It is complementary to the template
• B. It is identical to the template
• C. It is random
• D. It is determined by RNA polymerase

Answer: (A)

The sequence of the new DNA strand is determined by base pairing with the template strand, producing a complementary strand. DNA polymerase reads the template in the 3' to 5' direction and adds nucleotides to the growing strand in the 5' to 3' direction, following A with T and C with G. This means the new strand is complementary to the template, not identical, and the two strands are kept in opposite orientations. RNA polymerase isn’t responsible for synthesizing the new DNA strand (it’s involved in transcription; primers are laid down by primase), while the actual elongation of DNA is carried out by DNA polymerase, ensuring accurate complementarity.

The sequence of the new DNA strand is determined by base pairing with the template strand, producing a complementary strand. DNA polymerase reads the template in the 3' to 5' direction and adds nucleotides to the growing strand in the 5' to 3' direction, following A with T and C with G. This means the new strand is complementary to the template, not identical, and the two strands are kept in opposite orientations. RNA polymerase isn’t responsible for synthesizing the new DNA strand (it’s involved in transcription; primers are laid down by primase), while the actual elongation of DNA is carried out by DNA polymerase, ensuring accurate complementarity.