Answer to Question #17796 in Microbiology for Sandy

Question

What role do the existing strands of DNA play during the synthesis of the new DNA strands? Use the following sequence of double stranded DNA to illustrate how the existing and new strands are related after replication of the molecule (label which are the new and old strands).
3' GATTACAGA 5'
5' CTAATGTCT 3'

Answer 1

The existing strands of DNA play role the templates for synthesis of the complementary to them strands. Overall, it calls a semiconservative DNA replication.

The example, the new strands after replication are in red.
3' GATTACAGA 5'&
CTAATGTCT
5' CTAATGTCT 3'& &
GATTACAGA&