
Function of three polymerases during the Okazaki fragment cycle.
Two Pol III cores are attached to β clamps on the leading and lagging strands, creating a loop.
Primase binds to DnaB helicase and synthesizes an RNA primer (purple).
The clamp loader assembles a β clamp onto the new RNA primer.
The second lagging-strand Pol III core (third polymerase) assembles with the new clamp while the first lagging-strand Pol III core is extending an Okazaki fragment, creating two DNA loops.
The first lagging-strand Pol III core ejects from the β clamp on the first Okazaki fragment, leaving the clamp on the DNA.