Question

The speed of DNA replication in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells DIFFERS because:

A.) prokaryotic cells don’t use a double helix structure to store their nucleotides

B.) smaller genomes allow prokaryotes to rapidly copy their chromosome and reproduce

C.) eukaryotes replicate their DNA from a single location along the strand

D.) eukaryotic DNA is more accessible for DNA polymerase and other replication-related proteins

Answer 1

The correct answer for the above mentioned question is option B. Prokaryotes have small sized genome in comparison to eukaryotes as well as they lack histone proteins so their DNA is not very tightly wrapped as in case of eukaryotes, therefore ensuring rapid replication of DNA and hence faster rate of replication.

Prokaryotes have circular DNA with no telomeric ends, hence gat quickly replicated but in eukaryotes, telomeres are replicated in a different manner increasing the replication time.

Option A is incorrect as prokaryotic DNA is also double stranded but lack histone proteins to form nucleosomes.

Option C is incorrect because in eukaryotes, replication begins at several locations but in prokaryotes, there is one origin of replication which can lead to replication in opposite directions.

Option D is incorrect explanation for faster DNA replication in prokaryotes. Eukaryotes have tightly bound DNA to histone proteins so it is not easily accessible but it contains more number of polymerase enzymes required for replication in comparison to the prokaryotes.