During the process shown above, the two strands of one DNA molecule are unwound. Then, DNA polymerases add complementary nucleotides to each strand which results in the formation of two identical DNA molecules. This process is known as DNA

replication

Explanation:

In semi-conservative DNA replication:

- a parent double-stranded DNA splits in two.

- Each splitted strand is then read by the enzyme, DNA polymerase, to ensure accurate synthesis of a new daughter strand

- the newly synthesized strand contains nucleotides that are complimentary to free nucleotides present in the parent strand.

Thus, because the parent strand is retained in the newly synthesized DNA, the DNA replication is described as semi-conservative

gametes or germ cells are haploid cells (example: sperm and ova) containing only one set (or n) number of chromosomes and autosomal or somatic cells are diploid cells containing 2n number of chromosomes.