replication

Everyday

1. Making an exact copy of something. tree →
2. (science) Doing an experiment again to see whether you get the same result. tree →
3. (biology) The way cells copy their DNA or viruses make copies of themselves. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons replication is how we test that a result is true: if other people repeat the experiment and get the same answer, we trust it more. In biology it explains how cells and viruses copy themselves. Phrases: «replication of results», «DNA replication».

Examples

• We did three replications of the experiment to be sure. tree →
• Replication helps scientists check that results are not a fluke. tree →
• Before a cell divides, DNA replication makes a copy. tree →
• The museum's dinosaur is a replication, not a real fossil. tree →
• Viruses spread by replication inside cells. tree →
• Without replication, one strange result is not enough. tree →

Note

Verb: «replicate». Noun «replica» means a copy of an object. In maths and science, more replications usually give a more reliable average.