Question

In semiconservative replication, do the original two strands of the double helix serve as templates for the synthesis of new DNA strands? Following completion of replication, will two double-stranded DNA molecules be present, each comprising one original template strand and one newly synthesized strand that is complementary to the template?

Answer 1

During semiconservative replication, the original DNA strands serve as templates for creating new complementary strands, resulting in two identical DNA molecules, each containing an original and a new strand.

Step-by-step explanation:

In semiconservative replication, each of the original two strands of the DNA double helix indeed serves as a template for the synthesis of new DNA strands.

DNA polymerase is a key enzyme that adds nucleotides to the new strand, ensuring that it is complementary to the template strand. Following the completion of replication, two double-stranded DNA molecules will be present, with each comprising one original template strand and one newly synthesized strand. This results in two identical double helixes, each containing a strand from the original DNA molecule and a new complementary strand. This process ensures accurate duplication of the cell's genetic material and occurs during the cell cycle prior to cell division.

Answer 2

In semiconservative replication, each original DNA strand serves as a template to produce a complementary new strand, resulting in two double-stranded DNA molecules with one original and one new strand each.

Step-by-step explanation:

In semiconservative replication, the two original strands of the DNA double helix indeed serve as templates for the synthesis of new DNA strands.

As the DNA helix unwinds, enzymes facilitate the creation of new strands that are complementary to the original (template) DNA strands.

Following the completion of DNA replication, each of the two resulting double-stranded DNA molecules will contain one strand from the original DNA and one newly synthesized strand. This process ensures that each new DNA molecule is an exact copy of the original and is divided equally between two daughter cells during cell division.