EBK HUMAN BIOLOGY
EBK HUMAN BIOLOGY
11th Edition
ISBN: 9780100545939
Author: MCMILLAN
Publisher: YUZU
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 21, Problem 1RQ

Why is DNA replication called “semiconservative”?

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To explain: The reason why DNA replication is called “semiconservative”.

Introduction: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the genetic material of prokaryotes, archaea, eukaryotes, and some viruses. Replication of DNA results in two copies of DNA that are split into two cells at the end of cell division. Replication is the starting mechanism in the central dogma.

Explanation of Solution

There are three proposed models of DNA replication:

  • • Conservative model
  • • Semiconservative model
  • • Dispersive model.

Semiconservative model is the widely accepted and experimentally proved model. According to this model, each copy of the DNA replicated contains a parent strand.

Meselson–Stahl experiment supported the Watson and Crick model of DNA and provided evidences for semiconservative model of DNA replication.

In semiconservative replication, the two strands of parental DNA are used as a template each and a new strand is synthesized with enzymes and nucleotides. Thus, each daughter strand has a parental strand and a newly synthesized strand. Since a parental strand is conserved in daughter DNA, it is called semiconservative DNA replication.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Why is DNA replication described as “semiconservative?”
Why do we say that DNA replication is semiconservative?
Why does DNA replication produce two daughter strands that are identical to each other and to the parent DNA?
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305112100
Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305389892
Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
What Is A Virus ? ; Author: Peekaboo Kidz;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS7vsBgWszI;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY