Question 5 DNA replication is _...... in that you have one original strand and one new strand at the end of DNA replication. DNA replication is name of the process that synthesizes DNA. nonconservative semiconservative fully conservative

DNA replication is semiconservative in nature, which means that each new DNA molecule consists of one original (parental) strand and one newly synthesized strand. This was beautifully demonstrated by the famous Meselson-Stahl experiment using isotopes of nitrogen to trace the origins of DNA strands, showing that each new double helix comprises one strand from the original DNA and one that is newly formed. In real-world applications, understanding the semiconservative mechanism of DNA replication is crucial, especially in fields like forensics and genetic engineering. For instance, in PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), scientists use this principle to amplify specific DNA sequences, making it invaluable for everything from criminal investigations to medical diagnostics. So next time you see a DNA sequence being replicated, remember that it’s like a genetic copycat game!