The process of replicating DNA in which the two strands remain intact, separate, and are copied and one parental strand goes to each daughter cell.
* * *
semi·con·ser·va·tive -kən-'sər-vət-iv adj relating to or being genetic replication in which a double-stranded molecule of nucleic acid separates into two single strands each of which serves as a template for the formation of a complementary strand that together with the template forms a complete molecule
semi·con·ser·va·tive·ly adv
Medical dictionary. 2011.