4. PCR and nucleotide sequencing

Question 1

Dicovery of what let to possibility of PCR

Answer 1

Denaturation step only possible after discovering Thermus aquaticus, an organism that grows at 95 degrees C. Has heat- resistant DNA replication enzymes

Question 2

3 steps of PCR

Answer 2

Denaturation
Annealing
Extension

Question 3

Possible polymer matrix for gel electrophoresis

Answer 3

agarose or acrylamide

Question 4

Uses of DNA ampliphication

Answer 4

-DNA fingerprinting
-Recovery of ancient DNA samples
-Gene cloning
-DNA sequencing

Question 5

What can the nucleotide sequence of a gene help determine?

Answer 5

-functionally important sequences
-evolutionary relationship investigations
-identify disease-causing mutations