I’m trying to study but I’m struggling with simplifying this concept and with understanding it. I’ve never been that good at biology so I’m sorry if it’s a dumb question. It’s a semi-conservative process, because a new strand forms after a cell divides. And this, I have no issue with understanding. But if the 3’-5’ strand is the leading strand (because this is what our teacher has told us) and the DNA polymerase synthesises in the 5’-3’ direction, what about the 5’-3’ strand of the original cell? Our book shows a picture of a recently formed 3’-5’ strand. Does this mean the 5’-3’ strand can also be the leading strand? Sorry I’m just so confused and I think this is crucial to understanding the rest 😭
In: Biology
Both strands get synthesized. You just start on the other end. Every strand of DNA has a 5′ and a 3′. They’re just on opposite sides of one another.
ETA: Does your book have a picture of the chemical structure of DNA? That might help you wrap your brain around it. 5′ and 3′ are just chemical sides of a DNA molecule. Maybe think of it like this: if you’re holding hands with a kid, one of you is holding right hand and the other is holding left hand. You can reverse that, right? Just move the kid to the other side. DNA molecules have 5′ AND 3′, it’s not an identity, it’s an orientation in space.
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