If each strand serves as a template, how is the new strand related to its template?

If each strand serves as a template, how is the new strand related to its template?

• A. It is complementary to the template
• B. It is identical to the template
• C. It is the reverse complement
• D. It is completely unrelated

Answer: (A)

In DNA replication, each strand acts as a template for a new strand. Nucleotides are added by DNA polymerase according to base-pairing rules: A pairs with T, and G pairs with C. Because of this, the newly built strand has a sequence complementary to its template, not identical. The strands are antiparallel, so the new strand grows in the opposite orientation to the template. So the correct relationship is that the new strand is complementary to its template.

In DNA replication, each strand acts as a template for a new strand. Nucleotides are added by DNA polymerase according to base-pairing rules: A pairs with T, and G pairs with C. Because of this, the newly built strand has a sequence complementary to its template, not identical. The strands are antiparallel, so the new strand grows in the opposite orientation to the template. So the correct relationship is that the new strand is complementary to its template.