If the mechanism of DNA replication (semi-conservative, conservative, and dispersive) was not yet known: a. What experiment(s) could distinguish between the three possible mechanisms. Explain how this method can distinguish between the 3 models. b. Compare your experiment with the original mechanism. What are the advantages, disadvantages to each Solution If the DNA replication mechanism is not yet known Messelson-Stahl experiment set forward to distinguish the three mechanisms; conservative, semi- conservative and dispersive mode of replication. Messelson-Stahl experiment model used non radioactive heavy isotope of Nitrogen as they found nitrogen is abundant element in DNA. They labelled the DNA of E.coli bacteria with heavy isotope 15N and grew in a medium. Soon after many generations 15N labelled DNA were synthesised. Then they removed the 15N labelled DNA from the medium and placed in normal 14N medium. The cells were then extracted from this medium and were placed in CsCl solution and are centrifused..