PCR

Question 1

PCR

Answer 1

Polymerase chain reaction

Question 2

What is the function of PCR

Answer 2

• The process used to make many identical copies (amplify) of a piece of DNA. (Form of gene cloning.
• PCR can be useful when only trace amounts of DNA from a sample are available

Question 3

PCR ingredients

Answer 3

• DNA sample to be copied
• Single-stranded DNA primers, which are complementary to areas of the sample DNA and act as a coping start point (both forward and reverse primers)
• free nucleotides (A’s, T’s, G’s, C’s ) - building blocks of new DNA strands
• DNA Polymerase - enzymes that builds new DNA stands ( Taq polymerase)

Question 4

Taq Polymerase

Answer 4

an enzyme that is used for its heat resistant properties

Question 5

PCR steps

Answer 5

1) Denaturing
2) Annealing
3) Elongation

Question 6

1) Denaturing

Answer 6

• Mixture is heated to approx 95 degrees to melt the DNA (breaking hydrogen bonds)
• creates a single-stranded DNA

Question 7

2) Annealing

Answer 7

• Mixture is cooled to 55 degrees and primers anneal to specific regions on exposed strands of sample DNA

Question 8

3) Elongation

Answer 8

• Mixture is heated to 72 degrees and Taq Polymerase extends the double-stranded molecule (from the primers by adding complementary G’s, C’s, T’s, A’s (nucleotides) to new strands