PCR (polymerase chain reaction)

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What process makes multiple copies of DNA from one fragment?
PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
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What is DNA polymerase?
An enzyme that helps to create the new DNA strand by lining up free nucleotides alongside each template strand
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What are primers?
Short pieces of DNA that are complementary to the bases at the start of the fragment you want
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What temperature is the reaction mixture first heated to and why?
95 degrees Celsius- to break the hydrogen bonds between the two DNA strands
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What is in the reaction mixture?
DNA sample, free nucleotides, primers, DNA polymerase
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Why is it important DNA polymerase specifically is used?
Because it doesn't denature at high temperatures meaning many cycles can be completed without having to replace the enzyme.
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After being heated to 95 degrees Celsius, what temperature is the mixture cooled to and why?
Between 50-65 degrees celsius- allows the primers to bind (anneal) to the strands
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After the primers have annealed, what temperature is the mixture heated to and why?
72 degrees celsius- so that DNA polymerase can work
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How many copies of the DNA are produced in the first cycle of PCR?
Two
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Each PCR cycle doubles the number of DNA strands, how many strands would have been produced after the third cycle?
8x2= 16
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is DNA polymerase?

Back

An enzyme that helps to create the new DNA strand by lining up free nucleotides alongside each template strand

Card 3

Front

What are primers?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What temperature is the reaction mixture first heated to and why?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is in the reaction mixture?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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