2. Replication of DNA - Polymerase Chain Reaction Flashcards
1
Q
What is PCR a technique for?
A
The amplification of DNA in vitro
2
Q
What are the primers used complementary to?
A
Specific target sequences at the two ends of the region to be amplified
3
Q
- Why is DNA heated?
A
To separate the strands
4
Q
- What does cooling allow?
A
Primers to bind to their complementary target seuences
5
Q
- What do the primers allow?
A
DNA polymerase to start the replication of the region
6
Q
- The DNA polymerase is…
A
Heat tolerant (it is DNA polymerase from an extremophile bacterium, thermus aquaticus)
7
Q
- What happens to the number of copies of the region of DNA after each cycle?
A
It doubles
8
Q
- How is amplification achieved?
A
By repeated cycles of heating and cooling
9
Q
What is a negative control used to do?
A
Detect contamination
10
Q
What is a positive control used to do?
A
Detect when a reaction fails due to a problem with the thermocycler or a reaction component
