What is the process of creating a new strand of DNA called?

The process of creating a new strand of DNA is known as replication. During replication, the double helix of the original DNA molecule unwinds, and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand. This is an essential process for cell division, ensuring that each new cell receives an identical copy of the DNA.

In replication, specific enzymes such as DNA polymerase play a critical role in adding nucleotides to the growing new strand, matching them to the corresponding bases on the template strand according to base-pairing rules (adenine with thymine and cytosine with guanine). This semi-conservative method of replication results in two DNA molecules, each containing one original strand and one newly synthesized strand, thereby preserving the genetic information.

The other processes mentioned serve different functions. Transcription involves synthesizing RNA from a DNA template, translation refers to the process of synthesizing proteins from an mRNA template, and mutation signifies a change in the DNA sequence that can lead to genetic diversity or disease. Understanding these distinct roles clarifies why replication is the correct answer in the context of forming new DNA strands.