Question

Can someone explain to me in depth what is and okazaki fragment.
I watched Khan Academy but I'm still somewhat confused. So I was hoping if someone could explain it better?

Answer 1

Okazaki fragments are confusing >.< All those loops and stuff. Anyone who can simplify this vague and horrible part of biology will get a fan and a medal from me. So please help!

Answer 2

what do u not understand?

Answer 3

http://www.learnerstv.com/animation/animation.php?ani=169&cat=Biology

Answer 4

Sorry about the really late reply. I'm just confused about the loops and what are Okazaki fragments.

Answer 5

I'm going to your link.

Answer 6

Not sure if this one is resolved or not, but an Okazaki fragment is simply a short strand of RNA produced by the polymerase on the lagging strand during the elongation step of replication. The fragments are ligated together to form the complement strand to the lagging strand. The reason it works this way is because the polymerase on the lagging strand is working the opposite direction of the helicase in the replication fork and must wait for the fork to open up a new section to copy. It quickly runs into the strand it has already been producing and so spits out that fragment (the Okazaki fragment) to join the rest of the strand and the process continues until termination.