What is Conservative Replication?

Conservative Replication is a theoretical model of replication. In this model of replication, the parent DNA strands stay together and work as a template for the synthesis of an entirely new DNA molecule. It is a hypothetical model in which two daughter DNA molecules are produced. Out of the two DNA helices, one DNA molecule contains entirely old or parental DNA and another contains entirely new DNA or daughter DNA. Hence, it can be said that this replication yields one “all-new” DNA and one “all-old” DNA.

This model of replication was proposed early and it is important to note that this type of replication is not seen in living organisms as it cannot ensure diversity and adaptability at the genetic level. Thus, it is not considered significant in biology. It is only a theoretical concept and was disapproved after the introduction of the Semiconservative model of Replication in 1958 backed by Meselson-Stahl’s experiment.

Also Read: Difference between Start Codon and Stop Codon 

Significance of Conservative Replication

Although the conservative replication model has no biological significance, it has the following historical significance:

• This model was proposed early as one of the potential mechanisms by which genetic material could be duplicated.
• The conservative replication model helped the researchers and the scientists to understand the process /mechanism of DNA replication.
• It motivated them to do experiments and investigations to understand and discover the actual mechanism of DNA replication.
• The Conservative replication model has worked as a stepping stone in the understanding of the DNA replication mechanism.
• This model led to the discovery of the semi-conservative model of replication.

Also Read: Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Replication

Conservative Replication and Semiconservative Replication are the two proposed models of replication. In the DNA replication process of conservative replication, the original DNA remains intact and serves as a template for the synthesis of two new DNA molecules. 

In semiconservative replication, each original DNA strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new strand, resulting in two DNA molecules, each with one original strand and one new strand. Semiconservative replication is the most accepted model of DNA replication. In this article, we will read about semiconservative and conservative replication and the differences between them.