Diagnostics: PCR Flashcards
Define assay
Refers to a test
What is a benchmark?
Measure of the true disease status of an animal
Define test sensitivity
Availability of test to identify the presence of a disease or illness correctly
Define test specificity
Ability of a test to correctly exclude individuals who don’t have a given disease or disorder
Why do you want a test to have high sensitivity and specificity?
For accuracy e.g. prevent unnecessary culling
When was PCR developed?
1980s
What are the three part processes of PCR?
- DNA extraction
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Gel electrophoresis
What happens during the polymerase chain reaction?
DNA is amplified and creates numerous copies
What happens during gel electrophoresis?
Visualisation
What are the components of PCR?
- DNA template
- DNA polymerase
- Primers
- Nucleotides
What are primers?
Single-stranded DNA of short pieces added to help polymerase generate and amplify DNA
What is used during the DNA polymerase stage?
- Taq DNA polymerase (thermis aquaticus)
- Pfu DNA polymerase (Pyrococcus furiosus)
What nucleotides are used during PCR?
-DNTPS
- Deoxynucleotide triphosphates
What are the 4 steps of PCR?
Template DNA
1. Denaturation- double to single strand process
2. Annealing
3. Extension- synthesis of new DNA
True or false: the shorter the sample of DNA, the more it will travel
True
What does gel electrophoresis compare to?
Known values