DNA Replication Is Semi-ConservativeDefinitionSemi-conservative replicationWhen each new DNA molecule consists of one original (parental) strand and one newly synthesized strand.When DNA replicates, the two strands of the double helix separate.Each original strand acts as a template for a new complementary strand.The result is two identical DNA molecules, each with one old strand and one new strand.This preserves genetic information with high fidelity during cell division.Semi conservative DNA replicationTipParents share, kids pair.Each parent strand is paired with a new complementary strand in the daughter molecules.Complementary Base Pairing Keeps Copies AccurateTemplate-driven synthesisDNA polymerase reads the template strand.For each base on the template, it adds the complementary nucleotide to the new strand.Hydrogen bonding as a quality checkCorrect base pairs (A-T or C-G) form stable hydrogen bonds.Incorrect pairs, such as A-C, do not form proper hydrogen bonds.If bonding is weak or absent, the wrong nucleotide is rejected.Complementary Base Pairings ensure high accuracy.ExampleIf the template has adenine (A), DNA polymerase adds thymine (T) to the new strand.Base Pairing Gives High FidelityComplementary base pairing means the template sets the base sequence of the new strand.This makes replication remarkably accurate, copying the genome with very few errors.Active recallWhat does "semi-conservative" mean for a newly made DNA molecule?Describe the two strands of a DNA molecule after one round of replication.State the complementary base-pairing rules.How does hydrogen bonding help reject an incorrect nucleotide?
