Final answer:
DNA replication begins with the unwinding of the double helix, followed by complementary base pairing and synthesis of new strands with the assistance of DNA polymerase and DNA ligase, resulting in two DNA molecules each containing one old and one new strand.
Step-by-step explanation:
DNA Replication Process
The process of DNA replication involves several steps to ensure that each new cell receives an accurate copy of the genetic material. DNA unwinds at the origin of replication, and an enzyme called helicase breaks the hydrogen bonds between the nucleotides, causing the DNA double helix to unzip. Each single strand then serves as a template for a new strand to be created, with the help of the enzyme DNA polymerase, which reads the template and adds new, matching nucleotides based on the base pairing rules, where A pairs with T and G pairs with C.
One strand, known as the leading strand, is synthesized continuously, while the other, the lagging strand, is synthesized in short segments called Okazaki fragments. These fragments are then joined together by the enzyme DNA ligase, completing the formation of a new DNA strand. As a result, each of the two resulting DNA molecules contains one old strand and one newly synthesized strand.