In semiconservative replication, how many original strands are present in each daughter molecule?

In semiconservative replication, how many original strands are present in each daughter molecule?

• A. Two
• B. Zero
• C. One
• D. Three

Answer: (C)

Semiconservative replication means each daughter DNA molecule keeps one strand that was part of the original duplex and pairs it with a newly synthesized strand. As the parental strands separate, each serves as a template for a new complementary strand, so every daughter molecule ends up with one original strand and one newly made strand. That’s why the correct count is one original strand per daughter molecule. The other options describe concepts that don’t match how DNA actually replicates in cells (two original strands, zero original strands, or three), which doesn’t occur in this process.

Semiconservative replication means each daughter DNA molecule keeps one strand that was part of the original duplex and pairs it with a newly synthesized strand. As the parental strands separate, each serves as a template for a new complementary strand, so every daughter molecule ends up with one original strand and one newly made strand. That’s why the correct count is one original strand per daughter molecule. The other options describe concepts that don’t match how DNA actually replicates in cells (two original strands, zero original strands, or three), which doesn’t occur in this process.