Arizona State University (ASU) BIO181 General Biology I Exam 2 Practice

The statement that DNA replication is initiated from multiple origins is accurate and reflects a fundamental aspect of the replication process, especially in eukaryotic cells. In eukaryotes, DNA is linear and quite long, making it inefficient to replicate from a single point along the DNA strand. To facilitate rapid and efficient replication, the process begins at multiple origins of replication along each chromosome. This way, replication forks form at each origin and proceed bidirectionally, allowing the entire DNA molecule to be copied more quickly.

This feature is particularly advantageous in large genomes, ensuring that cells can duplicate their genetic material swiftly in preparation for cell division. In contrast, prokaryotic organisms, which typically have circular DNA, usually have a single origin of replication.