Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Question 1

What is PCR?

Answer 1

stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

used to amplify (make millions of copies) of DNA

sometimes called in vitro dna replication - bc its done in a test tube

Question 2

What are the “ingrediants” for PCR?

Answer 2

• DNA sample
• free DNA nucleotides
• primers - short sequences of DNA that are complimentary to the start
  of DNA sample - used to select which part of DNA is copied
• DNA polymerase

Question 3

What is the method for PCR?

Answer 3

1) heat to 95 degrees - breaks the hydrogen bonds, this makes DNA single
stranded
2) Cool to 50 degrees - allows the primers to bind by complimentary base
pairing - this makes dna double stranded - so dna polymerase can then bind
3) heat it up to 70 degrees - DNA polymerase adds complementary nucleotides and forms
phosphodiester bonds
4) repeat steps 1,2 and 3 - each cycle we double the amount of DNA - 1 to 2 to 4 to 8 16 strands