During dna replication, the short sections of new dna, known as okazaki fragments, which are eventually linked together by ligase. what are these strands called?

The correct answer is- lagging strand

Explanation:

During the DNA replication both the strands acts as template strand and DNA polymerase replicated both the strand. During this replication, one strand is replicated continuously which is called the leading strand and another strand is not synthesized in a continuous manner.

So small DNA fragments are formed due to discontinuous replication of DNA which is called Okazaki fragments. These fragments are then joined by DNA ligase and the strand is called lagging strand.  

Therefore the strand which is synthesized in a discontinuous manner is called lagging strand.