Which hypothesis suggests that both new strands of DNA anneal after replication?

The hypothesis that suggests both new strands of DNA anneal after replication is the semiconservative hypothesis. This concept is critical in understanding DNA replication, which involves the separation of the two strands of the DNA double helix. Each of these original strands then serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand.

In the semiconservative model, after the replication process, each resulting DNA molecule consists of one original (parental) strand and one newly synthesized strand. This means that the DNA maintains one-half of the original structure while creating a new strand that is complementary to the original template. This method ensures genetic fidelity, as one strand comes from the parent molecule, thereby preserving the genetic information.

The other hypotheses do not accurately describe the mechanism of DNA replication. The conservative hypothesis suggests that after replication, both original strands remain together while both new strands form a new double helix, which does not happen. The dispersive hypothesis indicates that segments of parental DNA are interspersed with newly synthesized DNA within each strand, leading to a more mixed structure, which also doesn’t reflect the actual process. Lastly, the random hypothesis does not correspond to any scientifically recognized model of DNA replication. Understanding the semiconservative nature of DNA replication is fundamental for grasp