What characterizes the synthesis of the lagging strand in DNA replication?

The synthesis of the lagging strand during DNA replication is characterized by its synthesis in the 5' to 3' direction while actually moving away from the replication fork. This is essential to understand, as DNA polymerases can only add nucleotides to the 3' end of a growing DNA strand. As the replication fork opens up, the leading strand is synthesized continuously towards the fork, while the lagging strand must be synthesized in short segments called Okazaki fragments. These fragments are initiated by RNA primers and subsequently joined together after being synthesized in the opposite direction of the fork’s advancement.

The correct understanding of the lagging strand synthesis highlights the need for multiple RNA primers, as each Okazaki fragment begins with a new primer sequence. This synthesis pattern is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the genetic information during replication, as DNA must always be synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction irrespective of the overall direction of the fork's opening.