DNA replication needs to occur because existing cells divide to produce new cells.Each cell needs a full instruction manual to operate properly. So the DNA needs to be copied before cell division so that each new cell receives a full set of instructions!DNA\xa0replication is one of the most basic processes that occurs within a cell. Each time a cell divides, the two resulting daughter cells must contain exactly the same genetic information, or\xa0DNA, as the parent cell. To accomplish this, each strand of existing\xa0DNA\xa0acts as a template for replication.