How does DNA polymerase read the parental DNA strand?

DNA polymerase reads the parental DNA strand from 3' to 5'. This is crucial for DNA synthesis because the enzyme synthesizes the new DNA strand in the 5' to 3' direction. When the enzyme binds to the parental strand, it must move in the opposite direction (3' to 5') to correctly position the incoming nucleotides and extend the new strand. This directional reading allows the addition of nucleotides to the growing strand at the 3' end, resulting in the appropriate formation of complementary base pairs with the template strand. It is this fundamental understanding of DNA replication that highlights the efficiency and accuracy of the process.