DNA Replication models

The process of DNA Replication was hiding many secrets. One of the most important was how the two daughter strands are created. As we have noticed in previous chapters of our site the Dna is a complex of two chains! In order the hereditary phenomenon to be explained, these strands should be accurately copied and transmitted from the parental cell to the daughter ones. These are three possible models that describe the accurate creation of the daughter chains:

1) Semiconservative Replication According to this model, DNA Replication would create two molecules. Each of them would be a complex of an old (parental and a daughter strand).

2) Conservative Replication According to this model, the DNA Replication process would create a brand new DNA double helix made of two daughter strands while the parental chains would stay together.

3) Dispersive Replication According to this model the Replication Process would create two DNA double-chains, each of them with parts of both parent and daughter molecules.

As we will see at the next chapter, the correct model is the first. Semiconservative DNA Replication was proved by the experiment of Meselson - Stahl.