What are the short fragments of DNA that are produced on the lagging strand during replication called?

During DNA replication, the process occurs differently on the leading and lagging strands due to the antiparallel nature of the DNA double helix. On the leading strand, DNA synthesis proceeds continuously in the same direction as the replication fork movement. In contrast, the lagging strand is synthesized in short, discontinuous sections because it runs in the opposite direction to the movement of the replication fork.

These short segments on the lagging strand are known as Okazaki fragments. Each Okazaki fragment is synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction and later joined together by the enzyme DNA ligase to form a continuous strand. Understanding the specific terminology, such as Okazaki fragments, is crucial in the study of molecular biology and genetics, as it helps clarify the mechanisms of DNA replication and the behavior of enzymes involved in the process.