These are short sequences of DNA nucleotides synthesized discontinuously and later linked together by the enzyme DNA ligase to form the lagging strand during DNA replication. These fragments are essential to copying the DNA where only one strand can be synthesized continuously.
The discovery of these segments elucidated the mechanism of DNA replication, revealing that only one DNA strand is synthesized continuously from the 5′ to 3′ direction while the other strand is assembled in a piecemeal fashion. Understanding their synthesis is vital for comprehending fundamental processes within molecular biology, including cell division and genetic inheritance. The study of these segments has also provided insight into DNA repair mechanisms and potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
