Primer in DNA Replication

[keegan937]

Hi,

 

 

While studying DNA replication in detail I have read that DNA primase forms an RNA primer on the template strand.

I understand the need for a primer, but not why an RNA primer is used instead of a DNA primer?

 

 

Thanks.

[CharonY]

The lagging strand cannot be synthesized in one go, instead they are synthesized in fragments (see: Okazaki fragments). However, the fragments need to be ligated. RNA are used as signal to identify those parts, so that they can get removed proceed in ligating the lagging strand into a continuous molecule.