Ans.
DNA replication cab be defined as a process that involves synthesis of daughter DNA molecule from a parent DNA. It is divide into four phases, which include formation of replication fork, primer binding, elongation of new strands, and termination.
Unwinding of parent DNA molecule takes place in first phase. During this, double-stranded DNA molecule gets unzipped or unwound to provide two single strands and forms replication fork, point from where replication starts.
Thus, the correct answer is option). 'the first phase.'