What is the process by which DNA makes a copy of itself?

The process by which DNA makes a copy of itself is known as replication. This is a vital mechanism that ensures genetic information is accurately transmitted during cell division. During replication, the double helix structure of the DNA unwinds, and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand. Enzymes called DNA polymerases play a key role in adding nucleotides to the growing strands, resulting in two identical DNA molecules from the original.

In contrast, translation is the process wherein the information in a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule is used to synthesize proteins, making it part of gene expression but not directly involved in DNA duplication. Transcription refers to the process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA, which also does not involve replicating the DNA itself. Mutation refers to a change in the DNA sequence, which can occur during replication or due to environmental factors but does not describe the process of copying DNA. Therefore, replication is the accurate and specific term for the DNA self-copying process.