What is meant by semi-conservative replication? How is this different from conservative or dispersive replication?

Question: Define semi-conservative replication and explain how it differs from conservative and dispersive replication methods. Answer: Semi-conservative replication is a DNA replication process where each parent strand of a DNA molecule serves as a template for the synthesis of a new, complementary strand. As a result, each new DNA molecule consists of one original parent strand and one newly synthesized strand. In contrast, conservative replication involves the two parent strands reassociating after acting as templates, resulting in an intact parental DNA molecule and a completely new DNA molecule composed of two newly synthesized strands. Dispersive replication, a hypothetical process, involves breaking the parent DNA molecule into double-stranded fragments, each serving as a template, and reassembling randomly, leading to a mixture of old and newly synthesized DNA in each molecule. Semi-conservative replication is observed in most living organisms and maintains the integrity of genetic information, while conservative and dispersive replication pose potential risks for losing or altering genetic information.