What happens to DNA during the replication process at the lagging strand?

During DNA replication, particularly at the lagging strand, the process occurs in a discontinuous manner due to the direction in which DNA polymerase can synthesize new DNA. The lagging strand is oriented opposite to the direction of the replication fork, which means that DNA polymerase can only synthesize new DNA in the 5' to 3' direction.

As a result, the replication of the lagging strand involves the formation of short segments of DNA called Okazaki fragments, which are synthesized separately and later linked together by the enzyme DNA ligase. These fragments are necessary because the lagging strand must be synthesized in sections, allowing the replication machinery to work effectively as the overall DNA unwinds.

Thus, the production of Okazaki fragments during the replication of the lagging strand is crucial for ensuring that the entire DNA molecule is accurately replicated despite the constraints imposed by the antiparallel nature of the DNA strands.