As the DNA double helix is unwound by helicase, replication occurs separately on each template strand in antiparallel directions. This process is known as semi-conservative replication because two copies of the original DNA molecule are produced. Each copy contains one original strand and one newly-synthesized strand.
Semiconservative replication describes the mechanism of DNA replication in all known cells. DNA replication occurs on multiple origins of replication along the DNA template strand. As the DNA double helix is unwound by helicase, replication occurs separately on each template strand in antiparallel directions.
