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Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a technique which help us amplify small amounts of DNA and end up with large amounts of it... it was invented by Kary Mullis
This is a rough sketch of how PCR works:
First the DNA that is to be replicated is placed in a solution containing heat-resistant DNA Polymerase (found in bacteria residing in hot springs) and free-floating nucleotides.*** The heat breaks the hydrogen bonds that hold the nucleotides together, and the DNA falls apart. Then the solution is allowed to cool, and DNA polymerase goes to action replicating two DNA strands, forming two new sections of DNA. This process can be repeated many times, increasing the amount of DNA exponentially, as the copies are copied themselves. The new DNA strands are perfect replicas of the original. ****There must also be two single strands of DNA, that complement the original in both the sense (forward) and antisense direction. The free-floating nucleotides cannot randomly bind and extend on there own, they must elongate a primer (the single strands) (PCR) Polymerase Chain Reaction makes lots of copies of DNA's when the DNA sample is too small to analyse. * The small DNA sample is heated up to 95˚C to break the hydrogen bonds between the bases so that the 2 strands partially separate. * DNA primers which are complementary DNA strands are added and cooled up to 55˚C. They will tell the enzyme (DNA polymerase) where to start copying. * DNA polymerase and free DNA nucleotides are added and heated up to 70˚C. Template strand(1 strand) or (original strand) is used to make the new DNA. Free DNA nucleotides base pair with the complementary template strand. * The DNA polymerase sticksthe free nucleotides to the complementary strandforming a new DNA Modification to the above:
While the above answer is correct in general, a couple of specific technical details are off. Firstly, the temperature in the second step does not go to 55 degrees C automatically. It is a variable temperature dependent on the temperature required for the primers to anneal to the main DNA template. The scale typically used is that of Tm (the melting tempraature). It is the point where half of the total primers in solution is connected to the coresponding main strand. In setting up the PCR reaction, one typically goes 5 degrees below that point to maximize effectiveness while ensureing that the space is open for annealing to the primer.
Secondly, the enlongation step is not run at 70 degrees C, but rather 72.
What else can I help you with?
What is pcr and types of pcr?
PCR is a biotechnological method to amplify your gene (DNA) of your interest. It produce millions of your DNA fragments hence used in cloning. There are variants of this method using the same thermocycling principle such as touch down PCR, gradient PCR, RFLP, multiplex PCR, Q PCR, RT PCR and so on.
Is polymerase chain reaction used to amplify DNA from a fossil a fetal cell or a virus?
The PCR reaction can be used to amplify DNA from all three sources mentioned. PCR relies on the use of short stretches of DNA that are 6 - 12 bases long to attach to the target DNA (the source where the DNA is coming from) so that the polymerase enzyme can make copies of the target DNA. As long as these primers are available (they can be commercially purchased in many cases), PCR can be carries out on fetal cell DNA and viral DNA. Fossil DNA however, may have undergone degradation. DNA has to be of a certain purity for PCR to work. If the fossil DNA had degraded or broken down, PCR cannot be carried out.
What is the sequence of the template DNA?
What do you really want to ask? template DNA is a DNA you want to amplify. So you should know what you are amplifying before a PCR or you can make it by sequencing your PCR product.
What are the applications of Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR?
Clinical microbiology: Viral load (HIV,HCV,HBV,...); Bacterial load (Salmonella, Mycobacterium,..); Fungal load( Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus,....); Food microbiology; and Bacterial load (Listeria, Salmonella, Campylobacter,...). Clinical oncology: Minimal residual disease; Chromosomal translocations; and Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs). Gene therapy: Gene transfer estimation;and Biodistribution of vector. Gene expression: Cytokines; receptors,....... ANSWER A very important application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is in the field of forensic science. Sometime a sample of DNA may be too small to be of any use as it is. Thankfully, PCR allows a small sample of DNA to be amplified thus making many more copies of the DNA. Now instead of a small sample you have a large sample. Sample size is very important when involving other forensic techniques such as electrophoresis. (To give an analogy there is not much difference between 4 lbs and 6 pounds. However, if yo amplified both by 10,000, you will see that there is a noticeable difference of 20,000 lbs. PCR makes the difference in weight noticeable so that results of electrophoresis can be analyzed.
Why is it important that RNA carries DNA instructions out of nucleus?
DNA carries the genetic information of a cell. WHen this information is needed, the genes are transferred to RNA So, it is important.
What is pcr and types of pcr?
PCR is a biotechnological method to amplify your gene (DNA) of your interest. It produce millions of your DNA fragments hence used in cloning. There are variants of this method using the same thermocycling principle such as touch down PCR, gradient PCR, RFLP, multiplex PCR, Q PCR, RT PCR and so on.
Why fertilized human is important?
Fertilization is important so species can have genetic variation. It is also important so the species can pass on their genes.
Why are animal breed societies so important?
becuase they provide expert advice to owners who may not know how to look after their animals. they also provide money for research to put an end to genetic desieases
Why is it important to research a medical career?
so you can get paid
Why is random sampling so important for research?
sampling is very important for researcher
Why is PCR useful?
PCR polymerase chain reaction allows for the scientist to put in a small amount of DNA and to receive a large amount of DNA back. It amplifies the DNA. Each cycle doubles the amount of DNA template.
Why is it so important to be able to amplify DNA fragments when studying genes?
Amplifying DNA fragments is important when studying genes because it allows researchers to create multiple copies of a specific DNA sequence, making it easier to analyze and study the genetic information contained within that fragment. This process, known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), helps scientists to identify and understand the functions of genes, as well as to detect genetic variations and mutations that may be associated with diseases or other traits.
Why are scientists so interested in extremophiles?
Extreme environments have been useful to scientists in inventing PCR. It was in an extreme environment like the geysers of Yellowstone that a scientist discovered that a bacteria was living in the extremely hot water and yet still could function. Before PCR we knew we could separate a strand of DNA by heating it, but there was no polymerase to duplicate it that would work at such a high temperature. The bacteria in the hot water had a polymerase that would. So now scientists use that to do PCR and create many copies of DNA.
What is chimera and why so important?
A chimera is an organism with cells from two or more genetically distinct individuals. They are important because studying chimeras can provide insights into development, organ transplantation, and disease. They also have the potential to create new therapeutic techniques and advance genetic research.
Why do you use a negative control in PCR?
A negative control is used in PCR to ensure that there is no contamination in the reaction, which could lead to false positive results. It contains all the PCR components except the template DNA, so any amplification detected in the negative control would indicate contamination.
Why are computers important today?
People need computers so they can help them research important thesis
Why is crossing over so important in genetic recombination?
Crossing over is important in genetic recombination because it allows for the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis. This process creates genetic diversity by shuffling and mixing genes, leading to the creation of new combinations of traits in offspring.
