Question

DNA replicates mostly accurately due to consistent base-pairing. What does that mean?

1) The DNA strands separate and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand.
2) The DNA strands separate and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new identical strand.
3) The DNA strands separate and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new partially complementary strand.
4) The DNA strands separate and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new partially identical strand.

Answer 1

DNA replication is a process where each strand of the DNA double helix serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand, ensuring the new molecules are accurate copies of the original. This semiconservative replication results in each new DNA containing one old and one new strand.

Step-by-step explanation:

DNA replicates mostly accurately due to consistent base-pairing, meaning during replication, the two strands of the DNA double helix separate, and each serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand. This process adheres to base-pairing rules, where adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T) and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C), ensuring that each new daughter strand is an accurate complement of its template strand. Following replication, the two daughter DNA molecules each consist of one old parental strand and one newly synthesized strand, a method known as semiconservative replication. The correct statement that describes this process is: 1) The DNA strands separate and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand.