Semi-conservative replication is a process in molecular biology where a double-stranded DNA molecule is replicated to produce two daughter DNA molecules. Each of the daughter molecules consists of one original parental strand and one newly synthesized daughter strand. This means that after replication, half of the original DNA molecule is conserved in each daughter molecule.
The process of semi-conservative replication begins with the separation or unwinding of the two strands of the double helix. This is achieved by breaking the hydrogen bonds that hold the base pairs together. Once the strands are separated, each original strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand.
Enzymes called DNA polymerases read the nucleotide sequence of the parental strand and add complementary nucleotides to form new daughter strands. The nucleotides are added in a 5' to 3' direction, guided by the base-pairing rules (adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine).
At the end of the replication process, each daughter DNA molecule is composed of one original parental strand and one newly synthesized daughter strand. This semi-conservative replication ensures the accurate transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next during cell division.
what is Semi-conservative replication
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