In this diagram of the process of DNA replication at a replication fork, the newly synthesized DNA strand labeled C is the:

A coding strand

B parental DNA

C leading strand

D lagging strand

The lagging strand is the newly synthesized DNA where addition of nucleotides is on the end opposite or away from the replication fork. This fragment has its 5' end near the replication fork, and must be synthesized as short Okazaki fragments to fill in the spaces created by unwinding the DNA.