Here's why:
* Semi-conservative replication: DNA replication is semi-conservative. This means each new DNA molecule is made up of one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.
* Complementary base pairing: The original strand acts as a guide for the synthesis of the new strand. The bases on the original strand (A, T, C, G) dictate which bases are added to the new strand (A pairs with T, and C pairs with G).
This template-driven process ensures that the genetic information is accurately copied from one generation to the next.
