DNA replication is called semiconservative because
A) one of the two resulting DNA molecules is new.
B) the two resulting DNA molecules each have one new DNA strand and one old strand from the original DNA molecule.
C) both of the resulting DNA molecules are composed of new strands of nucleotides.
D) no extra nucleotides are incorporated into the replicated DNA molecules.
E) the sequence of nucleotides in one strand is conserved, whereas the new DNA molecule consists of a unique sequence of nucleotides. At the end of replication, each new DNA molecule contains one old DNA strand and one new DNA strand. The old strand was used as a template to build the new strand.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Semiconservative DNA replication means that one strand of the new DNA molecule is old and one strand is new. During replication, the old DNA molecule serves as a template for the formation of a new complementary strand. Conservation of one original strand and incorporation of a new strand leads to the replication of the semiconservative nature of DNA. Hence, option B is the correct choice.

DNA Replication Is Called Semiconservative Because