What are the two complete helices called after DNA replication?

After DNA replication, the two complete helices formed are referred to as sister chromatids. During the replication process, each strand of the original DNA molecule serves as a template to create a new complementary strand. This results in two identical copies of the original DNA molecule, each consisting of one old (parental) strand and one new (daughter) strand, which are then referred to as sister chromatids.

Sister chromatids are crucial during the process of cell division, specifically during mitosis, where they are separated to ensure that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes. The term emphasizes their relationship as members of a duplicated chromosome that are still connected at a region called the centromere.

While "daughter molecules" might also seem appropriate as they indeed represent the newly synthesized strands, the precise terminology used in the context of cell biology emphasizes the paired nature of the resulting strands, leading to the term sister chromatids being the more accurate description. The terms "sister nucleotides" and "double helices" do not accurately represent the paired structures formed specifically after replication.