6.3.5 Polymerase Chain Reaction

Question 1

How can PCR be used?

Answer 1

• DNA Profiling (identifying criminals, determining paternity)
• Genetic engineering

Question 2

How does it work?

Answer 2

• Produces large quantities of specific fragments of DNA or RNA from small quantities of them
• Basically duplicates DNA and RNA

Question 3

Requirements for PCR

Answer 3

• Target DNA / RNA
• Primers (forward and reverse)
• DNA Polymerase (doesn’t denature at high temps, optimal temp high enough to prevent joining of DNA strands that haven’t been copied yet)
• Free nucleotides

Question 4

What are primers

Answer 4

• Short strands f DNA complementary to the 3’ end of DNA or RNA
• The region where the new strand can begin to be formed