Final answer:
DNA replication(C) is described as semiconservative because each new DNA molecule formed during replication contains one original parent strand and one new complementary strand.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of DNA replication(C) is described as semiconservative. During DNA replication, the parent DNA molecule unwinds, and each of the two strands serves as a template for the synthesis of a new, complementary strand. As a result, each new DNA molecule consists of one old (parental) strand and one new (daughter) strand, effectively conserving half of the original DNA molecule in each of the daughter molecules. This characteristic leads to the description of DNA replication as semiconservative.
Important Points about DNA Replication:
- Semiconservative replication ensures that each new cell receives an exact copy of the DNA.
- One strand of the parent DNA is conserved in each new DNA molecule.
- DNA replication involves the steps of initiation, elongation, and termination.