replication /rep′likā″shən/ [L, replicare, to fold back] , 1. a process of duplicating, reproducing, or copying; literally, a folding back of a part to form a duplicate. 2. (in research) the exact repetition of an experiment, performed to confirm the initial findings. 3. (in genetics) the duplication of the polynucleotide strands of DNA or the synthesis of DNA. The process involves the unwinding of the double helix molecule to form two single strands, each of which acts as a template for the synthesis of a complementary strand. The two resulting molecules of DNA each contain one new and one parental strand, which coil to form the double helix. −replicate, v.