Explain the process of DNA replication an state why it is called semi-conservative.

During DNA replication, DNA helicase attaches itself to the double stranded DNA and breaks the hydrogen bonds between the 2 strands. Next, free nucleotides pair with complementary bases on each strand of the DNA, Adenine to Thymine, Cytosine to Guanine. Then DNA polymerase binds to the free nucleotides and forms phosphodiester bonds between the nucleotides. Then hydrogen bonds form between the strands of DNA creating 2 double strands of DNA. As each double strand of DNA has 1 strand of the original DNA and 1 new strand of DNA, it is called semi-conservative.