Question

Which statement is ·not true about DNA replication in eukaryotes?

Options

• Replication of the entire genome takes about ten minutes.

• A replication fork occurs at each growing point of the replicating chromosome.

• Eukaryotes have numerous different chromosomes, with replication occurring in each at the same time.

• Replication occurs at the rate of about 500-5000 base pairs per minute.

Answer 1

Replication of the entire genome takes about ten minutes.

Explanation:

Replicating the entire eukaryotic genome takes several hours (usually 6 to 8 hours during the S-phase), not just ten minutes. The eukaryotic DNA is extremely long and complex. Even though replication occurs at thousands of origins simultaneously across many different chromosomes, the actual speed of the enzyme is relatively slow (only 500–5,000 base pairs per minute). This slower pace is necessary for high accuracy and proofreading, making it impossible to finish the entire process in such a short time.