Directionality of DNA Synthesis by Polymerase

DNA replication is a crucial process that occurs in living organisms, ensuring that genetic information is accurately passed from one generation to the next. During replication, the double-stranded DNA molecule unwinds, and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand. The enzyme responsible for synthesizing the new DNA strands is called DNA polymerase.

The process of DNA replication is highly regulated and involves several key steps, including the initiation, elongation, and termination of the newly formed strands. One critical feature of DNA polymerase is that it can only add nucleotides to a growing DNA strand in a specific direction. When considering the directionality of DNA synthesis, it is essential to understand that DNA polymerase synthesizes new strands in the 5' to 3' direction.