What is the average rate of eukaryotic DNA replication?

The average rate of eukaryotic DNA replication is typically around 50 nucleotides per second per replication fork. This rate allows for efficient duplication of the complex eukaryotic genome, which contains multiple origins of replication to facilitate faster copying of the large amount of DNA contained within eukaryotic cells. While the replication rate in prokaryotes can be significantly higher, eukaryotic cells face additional challenges, such as higher complexity and the presence of histones. This contributes to their relatively moderate pace of replication.

The other options indicate higher rates than what is typically observed in eukaryotic systems. For instance, a replication rate of 75 or 100 nucleotides per second, while potentially applicable in different contexts or under specific conditions, does not align with the average observed in standard eukaryotic replicative mechanisms. The choice of 50 nucleotides reflects a well-established understanding of the average dynamics of DNA synthesis in eukaryotic organisms during the S phase of the cell cycle.