Question

How does the replication process ensure that new DNA molecule is identical to the original (that there are no mutations)?

Answer 1

For a cell to divide, it has to first replicate its DNA
Each time the cell divides, the two daughter cells have to contain exactly the same genetic information, or DNA, as the main/parent cell.

Answer 2

DNA replication is a process which makes the exact copies of the DNA during cell division.

Since DNA is present in organisms in double helical form so, each strand of DNA in the double helix serve as a template for formation or duplication of the genetic material identical to the original DNA.

DNA replication occurs with high level of accuracy and fidelity due to the proofreading mechanism of enzyme DNA polymerase which adds new nucleotide base pairs to the new strand ensuring error less process.

Thus, DNA template and proof-reading mechanism exhibited by DNA polymerase are the correct answer.