Question

Which process is termed as “semiconservative DNA replication”?

(a) Presence of only newly synthesised strands in DNA

(b) Presence of only parental strands in DNA

(c) Presence of both parental and newly synthesised strands in DNA

(d) Presence of a hybrid variety of strands

I have been asked this question in an internship interview.

The query is from The Experimental Proof of Replication of DNA topic in chapter Molecular Basis of Inheritance of Biology – Class 12

Answer 1

Right choice is (c) Presence of both parental and newly synthesised strands in DNA

Explanation: The term semiconservative DNA replication means that the DNA molecule has both a parental and newly synthesised strand by the process of replication. During replication, the template strand of the DNA (the separated strand from the double helical structure) will help in the synthesis of complementary strands.