What is a replication fork in DNA replication in prokaryotes?
A site where DNA synthesis is initiated
A region where parental strands of DNA are separated and new strands are synthesized
A fragment of DNA synthesized in the lagging strand
None of the above.
A replication fork forms during DNA replication in which the double-stranded DNA is unwound and separated by helicase enzymes, creating a replication bubble. The replication fork is the site where the parental DNA strands are separated, and where new strands are synthesized by DNA polymerase enzymes. In a prokaryotic cell, replication forks are present in both directions from the origin of replication, while in eukaryotic cells, replication forks move bi-directionally along the DNA molecule. The replication fork is a crucial component in DNA replication and is responsible for ensuring the accurate and efficient replication of genetic information. The replication fork refers to the region where the parental strands of DNA are separated and new strands are synthesized. Thus, option 2 is the correct answer.