During replication, what is the relationship between the original strand and the newly formed strands?

During replication, what is the relationship between the original strand and the newly formed strands?

• A. Each new double helix contains two parental strands.
• B. Each new double helix contains two daughter strands.
• C. Each new double helix contains one parental strand and one daughter strand.
• D. Each new double helix contains RNA and DNA strands.

Answer: (C)

During replication, DNA is copied semiconservatively: each of the two new DNA molecules contains one original (parental) strand and one newly synthesized (daughter) strand. The two original strands separate and each serves as a template for a complementary new strand, built in the 5' to 3' direction. After synthesis, the duplexes are fully DNA with no RNA in the final product, though RNA primers help start synthesis on the new strands. This makes the correct relationship that each new double helix has one parental strand and one daughter strand.

During replication, DNA is copied semiconservatively: each of the two new DNA molecules contains one original (parental) strand and one newly synthesized (daughter) strand. The two original strands separate and each serves as a template for a complementary new strand, built in the 5' to 3' direction. After synthesis, the duplexes are fully DNA with no RNA in the final product, though RNA primers help start synthesis on the new strands. This makes the correct relationship that each new double helix has one parental strand and one daughter strand.