Which term describes the initiation and elongation stages of replication?

• A. Phases of Transcription
• B. Stages of Replication
• C. Phases of Translation
• D. Steps of Replication

Answer: (B)

Initiation and elongation are two major parts of DNA replication. Initiation begins at the origin where the DNA is unwound and the replication machinery is assembled, while elongation is the phase in which new DNA strands are synthesized by DNA polymerase. These two parts are best described as stages of replication, because they are distinct, sequential phases that together drive the replication process forward. The other options refer to different cellular processes or use different language (like steps) that doesn’t capture the idea of distinct phases within replication as clearly.