PCR Vocab Flashcards
(28 cards)
Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR
Process of copying segments of DNA
DNA Polymerase
Enzyme that assembles nucleotides
Taq polymerase
Heat resistant enzyme used in most PCRs
Target sequence
Part of the DNA strand that is being copied
Flanking sequence
Sequences on either side of the target that act as landmarks
Primer
Single stranded DNA fragment that marks where dNTPs can build
Primer dimer (PD)
Two primer molecules that hybridized to each other
Free Nucleotides (dNTPs)
Deoxynucleotide triphosphates- adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine
Denaturation
When temperature is heated to separate a strand of DNA. Beginning of PCR
Anneal
Part of the PCR process where temperature cools to allow primers to hybridize to DNA
Extension
Temperature heats up to allow free nucleotides to hybridize
Hybridize
Process where molecules bond together to create a double strand
Cycle
Denature, anneal, extension
Amplification
to copy
Amplicon
The product of amplification
Sequence length
Amount of base pairs (bps)
5’
Beginning
3’
End
Template strand
The sample of DNA that contains the target sequence
Thermocycler
Technology used for PCR
Master Mix
A mix of all PCR agents (such as polymerase, dNTPs, etc.)
Coenzyme Magnesium chloride
Supports polymerase enzymes. Not enough will results in PCR failure, and too much results with non-specific amplification.
Aliquot
To separate a portion of the serum and place in a different tube
