halfconservative

Half conservative refers to a specific process of DNA replication. During this process, each new DNA molecule consists of one original (parental) strand and one newly synthesized strand. This mechanism ensures that genetic information is accurately passed down from one generation of DNA to the next. When a cell prepares to divide, it first replicates its DNA. The double helix unwinds, and each strand serves as a template for the creation of a new complementary strand. Consequently, after replication, the two resulting DNA molecules are identical to the original, and each contains one of the original strands. This mode of replication was experimentally demonstrated by Meselson and Stahl in 1958, a landmark experiment in molecular biology. They used isotopes of nitrogen to distinguish between parental and newly synthesized DNA strands, providing strong evidence for the half conservative model over alternative models like conservative or dispersive replication. The half conservative nature of DNA replication is fundamental to heredity and the stability of the genome.