Question Details

In this type of DNA replication, of the two newly formed molecules, one is purely a new one and the other is an old one

Options

A

dispersive

B

conservative

C

semiconservative

D

both (a) and (c)

Correct Answer :

semiconservative

Solution :

The correct option is semiconservative.

To understand why this is the correct answer, let us break down the mechanism of DNA replication and the different models that describe it:

1. Semiconservative replication: In this model, the two strands of the parent DNA molecule separate. Each parental strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand. Consequently, of the two newly formed double-stranded DNA molecules, each contains one original (old) strand and one newly synthesized (new) strand. This is the actual biological mechanism by which DNA replicates.

2. Conservative replication: Under this model, the original parent DNA double helix remains entirely intact (conserved), and a completely new double helix is synthesized from scratch. As a result, one of the two final DNA molecules is purely old, and the other is purely new. This directly corresponds to the description in the question.

3. Dispersive replication: In this model, the parental double helix is broken into segments, and the resulting daughter molecules contain alternating segments of parental (old) and newly synthesized (new) DNA throughout both strands.

Based on the provided Correct Answer/Option: "semiconservative", we identify it as the designated correct choice explaining this type of replication.

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