[Campbell Biology P.370] According to the basic principle of DNA replication described in th... | Practice Question

According to the basic principle of DNA replication described in the text and Figure 16.10, what is the primary role of each parental DNA strand during the replication process?

  • A: To serve as a template for the synthesis of a new, complementary strand.
  • B: To directly combine with another parental strand to form a new double helix.
  • C: To provide the energy necessary for nucleotide polymerization.
  • D: To catalyze the breaking of hydrogen bonds between base pairs.
  • E: To reassociate immediately after separation to preserve the parental molecule.

Explanation

The text and Figure 16.10 explicitly state that after the parental DNA strands separate, 'Each parental strand can now serve as a template for a new, complementary strand' Figure 16.10b caption . This is the fundamental concept of DNA replication.