Tutorial 9

Question 1

What makes PCR amplification exponential?

Answer 1

As PCR progresses, the DNA generated is itself used as a template for replication, setting in motion a chain reaction in which the DNA template is exponentially amplified

Question 2

True or False. The primers start the DNA polymerisation reaction, and then detach and bind to another piece of DNA to start another DNA polymerisation reaction.

Answer 2

False, that primer becomes incorporated as part of the DNA polymerization process.

Question 3

If I accidentally added the restriction enzyme to a genomic DNA sample before I ran the PCR, and I then ran it on a gel like the one above, what would I see on the gel?

Answer 3

There would be nothing on the gel because you would only be running the PCR on half as much DNA and there is only one DNA primer present and amplification is reduced