PCR

Question 1

What is the purpose of P.C.R?

Answer 1

Allows a quantity of DNA to be amplifyied for analysis.

Question 2

What does P.C.R stand for?

Answer 2

Polymerase Chain Reaction

Question 3

What is the first stage of P.C.R and what happens?

Answer 3

Denaturation: The DNA sample is heated to 95 degrees to separate the double stranded DNA into two single strands

Question 4

What is the second stage of P.C.R and what happens?

Answer 4

This stage is know as Annealing. This cools down the strand 50-60 degrees allowing primers (6-26 Bp long) to bind to complementary sequences of each DNA strand.

Question 5

What is a primer?

Answer 5

Short sequence of DNA that flanks the target region

Question 6

What is the third stage of P.C.R?

Answer 6

Extension: The sample is heated to 70 degrees. Thermally Stable Polymarase (TAQ) are added, which increase length of DNA to 56Bps long by making bonds in the sugar phosphate.

Question 6

What is the final stage of P.C.R?

Answer 6

Repeat: The process is repeated 40 times, resulting in an exponential increase in the target sequence.

Question 7

Name the stages of P.C.R in order

Answer 7

1. Denaturation
2. Annealing
3. Extension
4. Repeat