Answer: replication
Step-by-step explanation:
In semi-conservative DNA replication:
- a parent double-stranded DNA splits in two.
- Each splitted strand is then read by the enzyme, DNA polymerase, to ensure accurate synthesis of a new daughter strand
- the newly synthesized strand contains nucleotides that are complimentary to free nucleotides present in the parent strand.
Thus, because the parent strand is retained in the newly synthesized DNA, the DNA replication is described as semi-conservative