How is the leading strand synthesized during DNA replication?

The leading strand is synthesized in the same direction as the movement of the replication fork, which means it is synthesized towards the replication fork. This process involves the continuous addition of nucleotides to the growing strand as the DNA unwinds and opens up. DNA polymerase adds nucleotides in a 5' to 3' direction along the template strand, allowing for a smooth and uninterrupted synthesis.

This continuous synthesis is crucial as it allows the cell to efficiently duplicate its genetic material. The leading strand's synthesis contrasts with that of the lagging strand, which is synthesized in segments, or Okazaki fragments, in the opposite direction of the fork movement due to the antiparallel nature of the DNA strands. The choice that states synthesis in fragments or discontinuously applies exclusively to the lagging strand, not the leading strand. Therefore, understanding the directionality of synthesis and the continuous nature of leading strand synthesis is essential in grasping DNA replication mechanisms.