What is the role of DNA ligase in the replication of the lagging strand during DNA replication? A. it unwinds the parental double helix B. it joins Okazaki fragments together C. it stabilizes the unwound parental DNA D. it synthesizes RNA nucleotides to make a primer E. it catalyzes lengthening of telomeres

The correct answer is C. it joins Okazaki fragments together

Explanation:

During the DNA replication, the DNA is replicated by DNA polymerase and both the strand act as template strand. One strand is continuously synthesized by the DNA polymerase called the leading strand and the other strand is synthesized in a discontinuous manner called lagging strand.

In lagging strand due to discontinuous replication, many short nucleotide fragments are created which are called Okazaki fragments. These Okazaki fragments are joined by an enzyme DNA ligase. By making a bond between two Okazaki fragments it connects all fragments and makes a single daughter strand.

So the correct answer is C. it joins Okazaki fragments together.