Question

this process shows how dna is replicated to produce two identical molecules. based on the process shown, which statement best explains the outcome of dna replication? each new dna molecule contains one original strand and one new strand. the new dna molecules are identical to each other but not to the original. the two dna molecules are identical to each other and to the original dna molecule. the new dna molecules are not identical to the original, providing variation in the dna.

Explanation:

DNA replication is semi - conservative. The original DNA molecule unwinds (step 2), and each strand serves as a template (step 3). New nucleotides pair with the template strands (complementary base pairing: A - T, G - C). As a result, each new DNA molecule has one original (parent) strand and one newly synthesized strand (step 4). Also, due to complementary base pairing rules, the two new DNA molecules are identical to each other and to the original DNA molecule.

Answer:

The two DNA molecules are identical to each other and to the original DNA molecule.