In: Biology
Leading strand is a replicated strand of DNA which grows continuously without any gap toward the replication fork. As it is synthesized in continuous fashion only a single primer is required and no need of DNA ligase is therefore. Formation of leading strand is quite rapid.
In the other hand lagging strand is a replicated strand of DNA which form in discontinued manner forming many short segment called okazaki fragments in a direction of away from the replication fork. In every fragments required a new primer and needs to join those fragments by DNA ligase. Due to those complexity formation of lagging strand is quite slow.
Synthesis of direction of DNA in leading strand is 5' to 3' direction. And the direction of grow of lagging strand is 3' to 5' though in each okazaki fragment replicated in 5' to 3' direction.
Enzyme and there functions are explained in image.