Extended Réponse questions

Question 1

Describe the Process of PCR

Answer 1

The PCR process involves repeated cycles of the following steps:
* the DNA molecule which is to be amplified is denatured by heating to between 92 and 98 ◦C,
breaking the hydrogen bonds between base pairs to separate the strands;
* the solution is cooled to between 50 and 65◦C to allow the primers to bind to target sequences;
* the solution is heated to between 70 and 80◦C for heat-tolerant DNA polymerase to replicate
the region of DNA.
This cycle is usually repeated at least 30 times.

(information from heriot watt study guide)