What term describes the synthesis of exact copies of DNA with identical base sequences?

The term that describes the synthesis of exact copies of DNA with identical base sequences is DNA replication. This process is vital for cellular division, as it ensures that each daughter cell receives an identical copy of the DNA from the parent cell. DNA replication involves unwinding the double helix and using each original strand as a template for creating a new complementary strand, which results in two identical DNA molecules.

Translation and transcription refer to different processes in the expression of genes. Translation involves the synthesis of proteins from amino acids based on the sequence of mRNA, while transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template. Gene expression encompasses both transcription and translation, ultimately leading to the production of proteins but does not specifically refer to the replication of DNA itself.