Explain the process of DNA replication in prokaryotes.

Replication involves the synthesis of the leading and lagging strand which occur in a 5' to 3' direction. First helicase unwinds the DNA strand, while topoisomerase relieves the strain created by the unwinding. DNA primase makes RNA primers. One RNA primer is placed on the leading strand, but multiple are placed on the lagging strand. DNA Polymerase III then starts covalently adding DNA nucleotides starting at the RNA primer, linking cytosine with guanine, and adenine with thymine. The lagging strand creates fragments of replicated DNA known as Okazaki fragments. After all DNA nucleotides are added, DNA Polymerase I then checks for any mistakes and replaces the RNA primers with its respective DNA nucleotide. On the lagging strand, DNA ligase connects the gaps between the fragments made.