DNA Replication - origins of replication

[bluequestions]

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Hey guys! For DNA replication, I know the eukaryotes have multiple origins of replication and prokaryotes only have one. I was just wondering why is it that prokaryotes only have one? Because it seems like having multiple would speed up the process just like in eukaryotes, or is it just not necessary since the genome is a lot shorter?
Thanks!

 

[aldol16]

It's a practical reason - prokaryotes don't have large genomes at all, so DNA replication doesn't actually take that much time for them. But the size of the eukaryotic genome is comparatively huge, so multiple origins of replication allow replication to finish in a timely manner.

 

[bluequestions]

Thanks!