What is the significance of the 5' - 3' antiparallel DNA molecule in DNA replication?

Question

aaronq · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

wat.

anonymous · Answer

Could you develop a bit about your diagram?

aaronq · Answer

one strand runs in one direction while the other runs on the other, hence they're "anti"

aaronq · Answer

it means that during replication the strands are made in opposite directions, only one strand can be made continuously (leading strand) while the other is made in (okazaki) fragments (lagging strand).

anonymous · Answer

My question is why is it important in the process of replication. What is its function?

aaronq · Answer

it's not so much it's function rather than a nuisance. One of the strands has to made in small fragments because it's migration is opposite to the extension. 

In general though, the only way complementary bases can hydrogen is if you invert and rotate one of them.