Final answer:
The origin of replication is where the DNA template strands are separated and unwound, involving proteins such as helicase and topoisomerase, to allow each strand to serve as a template for the synthesis of new complementary strands.
Step-by-step explanation:
The location where the two strands of a DNA template are separated and unwound for replication to occur is called the origin of replication. At this site, the enzyme helicase separates the DNA strands, creating replication forks which extend bidirectionally. These forks are stabilized by single-strand binding proteins that prevent the DNA from rewinding. Furthermore, enzymatic activity from topoisomerase is necessary to relieve the supercoiling that occurs ahead of the replication fork. The unwinding allows each strand of the DNA double helix to serve as a template for the new complementary strand, thus following the semi-conservative model of DNA replication.