Q. 14.  Discontinuous synthesis of DNA occurs in one strand, because:

(a) DNA molecule being synthesized is very long

(b) DNA dependent DNA polymerase catalyzes polymerization only in one direction (5'→3')

(c) it is a more efficient process

(d) DNA ligase has to have a role 

Ans (b).  DNA polymerase adds deoxyribonucleotides to the free '-end of the growing polynucleotide chain so, that replication of the 3'→5' strand of the DNA molecule is continuous (growth of the new strand in 5'→3' direction).

Since DNA dependent DNA polymerase catalyzes polymerization only in one direction (5'→3'), discontinuous synthesis of DNA occurs in the other strand.