Chapter 12, Problem 13A

Summary Introduction

To write:

A sentence defining the given vocabulary term.

Introduction:

Before a cell divides it must copy its chromosomes so that the new cells have same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. The process by which DNA in the chromosome is copied is called DNA replication.

Answer to Problem 13A

Semi conservative replication is a mechanism by which each strand of DNA serves as a template to synthesize new DNA molecule.

Explanation of Solution

Each DNA molecule consists of two strands. Both the strands have complementary base pairs. During replication each strand serves as a template to synthesize new DNA molecule. Replication of DNA produces two molecules from one. Each molecule has one original strand and one new strand. The two DNA molecules are identical to the original DNA molecule.

This method of replication is called semi conservative replication as one strand of DNA in the new molecule is from the original DNA molecule. So the DNA is partly conserved in the new molecule of DNA. A new strand is made from the original strand of DNA.