In this chapter, we focused on how DNA is replicated and synthesized. We also discussed recombination at the DNA level. Along the way, we encountered many opportunities to consider how this information was acquired. On the basis of these discussions, what answers would you propose to the following fundamental questions? How do we know that in vivo DNA synthesis occurs in the 5' to 3' direction?

Video transcript

Hey everyone, Let's take a look at this question together. DNA replication takes place in a 5 to 3 direction. Because why? So let's recall what we've learned about the process of DNA replication to figure out why it takes place in a 5 to 3 direction. When we know that when we're dealing with DNA replication, we have D. N. A. Blue Berets, which we know is that enzyme that is responsible for forming the new copies of D. N. A. And so what D. N. A polymerase does is reads the existing grand at the three and where it adds free nucleotides. And so for it to interact at that three end, it has to take place in the 5 to 3 direction. And so the answer to this question is answer choice B D N. A polymerase three can add those nucleotides to this three and only. And that is why DNA replication takes place in a 5 to 3 direction. I hope you found this video to be helpful. Thank you and goodbye.