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The thermostable polymerase (or Taq polymerase) is a thermostable DNA polymerase (named after the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus from which it was originally isolated by Thomas D. Brock in 1965), is often abbreviated to "Taq Pol" (or simply "Taq"), and is frequently used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Taq polymerase is as an enzyme able to withstand the protein-denaturing conditions (high temperature) required during PCR; Therefore it replaced the DNA polymerase from E. coli originally used in PCR. Taq's optimum temperature for activity is 75-80°C, with a half-life of greater than 2 hours at 92.5°C, 40 minutes at 95°C and 9 minutes at 97.5°C, and can replicate a 1000 base pair strand of DNA in less than 10 seconds at 72°C.

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What is thermostable DNA polymerase?

Thermostable DNA polymerase is an enzyme that can withstand high temperatures, typically used in PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to amplify DNA. The most well-known example is Taq polymerase, which is isolated from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus. Its ability to function at high temperatures allows for the repeated cycles of heating and cooling necessary for PCR.


Why taq polymerase is thermostable?

Taq Polymerase is an important enzyme component involved in the PCR reaction. Its A DNA polymerase and its role is to elongate the growing strands of DNA during the extension process. Since the Extension process in a PCR works at a temperature which a human DNA polymerase cannot remain active, the Taq polymerase obtained from Thermus aquaticus (living in the hot springs) are used and hence these enzymes are thermo stable.


Why taq polymerase is strored at very low temperature as it is thermostable?

Storing Taq polymerase at a very low temperature (typically -20°C) helps preserve its activity over time. While Taq polymerase is thermostable and can withstand high temperatures during PCR, storing it at low temperatures helps prevent degradation and denaturation of the enzyme, leading to better performance in PCR reactions.


What is PCR short for?

PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction, a method used to amplify and copy small segments of DNA.


What is the enzyme that synthesized DNA used in PCR that distinguishes it from the equivalent enzyme that carry out the same function in our cells or those of most bacteria?

The enzyme used in PCR to synthesize DNA is called DNA polymerase. The key difference is that the DNA polymerase used in PCR, such as Taq polymerase, is derived from a thermophilic bacterium called Thermus aquaticus and can withstand the high temperatures used in the PCR cycling process. This distinguishes it from the equivalent enzyme in our cells or most bacteria, which would be denatured by the high temperatures of PCR.

Related Questions

Is vent polymerase a thermostable enzyme?

Yes, Vent polymerase is a thermostable enzyme. It is derived from the Thermococcus species and is able to withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for use in applications that require high-temperature conditions such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR).


What is the significance of thermostable polymerase in DNA technology?

Thermostable polymerase, like Taq polymerase, is important in DNA technology because it can withstand the high temperatures used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This allows for the rapid amplification of DNA fragments without the need to constantly replenish the enzyme. This polymerase is derived from thermophilic bacteria and is essential for the success of PCR in molecular biology applications.


What is thermostable DNA polymerase?

Thermostable DNA polymerase is an enzyme that can withstand high temperatures, typically used in PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to amplify DNA. The most well-known example is Taq polymerase, which is isolated from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus. Its ability to function at high temperatures allows for the repeated cycles of heating and cooling necessary for PCR.


Could you use human polymerase for the extension step in the PCR reaction?

Actually the problem with the Human polymerase is the sensitivity to temperature if we talk about PCR. That is the reason why we use Taq DNA polymerase which is thermostable where as use of human polymerase may result in loss of its function due to high temperature.


Why taq polymerase is thermostable?

Taq Polymerase is an important enzyme component involved in the PCR reaction. Its A DNA polymerase and its role is to elongate the growing strands of DNA during the extension process. Since the Extension process in a PCR works at a temperature which a human DNA polymerase cannot remain active, the Taq polymerase obtained from Thermus aquaticus (living in the hot springs) are used and hence these enzymes are thermo stable.


Why taq polymerase is strored at very low temperature as it is thermostable?

Storing Taq polymerase at a very low temperature (typically -20°C) helps preserve its activity over time. While Taq polymerase is thermostable and can withstand high temperatures during PCR, storing it at low temperatures helps prevent degradation and denaturation of the enzyme, leading to better performance in PCR reactions.


What is PCR short for?

PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction, a method used to amplify and copy small segments of DNA.


Role of magnesium chloride in PCR?

Magnesium chloride is a crucial component in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as it is required for the activity of the DNA polymerase enzyme. Magnesium ions help stabilize the DNA template-primer complex and are essential for the enzymatic activity of the DNA polymerase, allowing for successful DNA amplification during PCR. The optimal concentration of magnesium chloride can vary depending on the specific DNA polymerase being used and the PCR conditions.


What is the source of the polymerase used in polymerase chain reaction?

The polymerase used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is typically derived from a thermophilic bacterium called Thermus aquaticus. The specific polymerase most commonly used is Taq polymerase, which is known for its ability to withstand high temperatures required for PCR.


What is the enzyme that synthesized DNA used in PCR that distinguishes it from the equivalent enzyme that carry out the same function in our cells or those of most bacteria?

The enzyme used in PCR to synthesize DNA is called DNA polymerase. The key difference is that the DNA polymerase used in PCR, such as Taq polymerase, is derived from a thermophilic bacterium called Thermus aquaticus and can withstand the high temperatures used in the PCR cycling process. This distinguishes it from the equivalent enzyme in our cells or most bacteria, which would be denatured by the high temperatures of PCR.


What organism is used primarily in PCR technique?

The organism used primarily in PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technique is a heat-stable DNA polymerase, such as Taq polymerase. Taq polymerase is derived from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus, which can withstand the high temperatures required for PCR amplification.


Role of Taq polymerase in PCR?

taq polymerase is special because it is very stable at high temperatures and will not denature even at the 90 degree step of pcr. taq polymerase is so heat stable because it was extracted from the bacterium thermus aquaticus, which is found in hot springs and geezers