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PCR Essentials Flashcard Set
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PCR Essentials Flashcard Set
PCR Essentials Flashcard Set
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1
Question
What is the primary purpose of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)?
Page 1
Answer
To amplify a specific DNA fragment in vitro
2
Question
Who developed the PCR technique and in which decade?
Page 1
Answer
Kary B. Mullis in the 1980s
3
Question
What award did Kary B. Mullis receive for PCR and in what year?
Page 1
Answer
Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1993
4
Question
What is the basis of PCR's ability to amplify DNA?
Page 1
Answer
DNA polymerase synthesizes new strands complementary to a template
5
Question
What are the three main repetitive steps in a PCR cycle?
Page 1
Answer
Denaturation, annealing, and elongation
6
Question
How many copies of a gene can PCR produce from a single copy?
Page 1
Answer
Several million copies in a short time
7
Question
What are the essential components required for a PCR reaction?
Page 1
Answer
Template DNA, primers, DNA polymerase, nucleotides, buffer, and MgCl2
8
Question
What device is used to control temperature changes in PCR?
Page 1
Answer
Thermal cycler
9
Question
What occurs during the denaturation step of PCR?
Page 1
Answer
Double-stranded DNA is heated to separate into single strands
10
Question
Why are primers necessary in PCR?
Page 1
Answer
DNA polymerase requires a 3′-OH group to add nucleotides
11
Question
What is the typical length of PCR primers?
Page 1
Answer
20–50 base pairs
12
Question
How do primers enable specific DNA amplification in PCR?
Page 1
Answer
They bind specifically to the target DNA sequence
13
Question
What happens during the annealing step in PCR?
Page 1
Answer
Primers hybridize to the single-stranded template DNA
14
Question
What is the role of the elongation step in PCR?
Page 1
Answer
DNA polymerase extends the primers using the template as a guide
15
Question
What is the most commonly used enzyme in PCR and its source?
Page 1
Answer
Taq DNA polymerase from Thermus aquaticus
16
Question
Why is Pfu DNA polymerase used in some PCR applications?
Page 1
Answer
It has higher fidelity in copying DNA
17
Question
What characteristic do Taq and Pfu polymerases share?
Page 1
Answer
Both are heat-resistant
18
Question
What is the result after one cycle of PCR?
Page 2
Answer
Duplication of original DNA, each new molecule with one old and one new strand
19
Question
How many cycles are typically performed in PCR?
Page 2
Answer
30 or 40 times
20
Question
What is the outcome of multiple PCR cycles?
Page 2
Answer
More than one billion exact copies of the original DNA segment
21
Question
In what application is PCR used to generate DNA copies before cloning?
Page 2
Answer
When target sequence is known and source DNA is scarce
22
Question
How is PCR applied in criminal investigations?
Page 2
Answer
Amplifies DNA from tiny samples like blood spots or hair follicles
23
Question
What type of genomic regions are targeted in forensic PCR?
Page 2
Answer
Highly polymorphic regions that vary between individuals
24
Question
How can PCR analyze ancient DNA?
Page 2
Answer
By amplifying fragments from well-preserved fossil remains
25
Question
What role does PCR play in DNA sequencing?
Page 2
Answer
Employs DNA polymerase activity to generate sequence-ready DNA
26
Question
How does PCR detect a specific virus in a tissue sample?
Page 2
Answer
Primers complementary to viral DNA generate product if present
27
Question
What is an advantage of PCR over Southern hybridization for detection?
Page 2
Answer
It directly serves as the detection system via product formation
28
Question
How does PCR compare similarity between two DNA molecules?
Page 2
Answer
Identical primers yield same products if sequences match
29
Question
In bacterial DNA comparison, what are primers designed as?
Page 2
Answer
Specifically or randomly generated for PCR
30
Question
How are PCR products from bacterial genomes analyzed?
Page 2
Answer
Separated by gel electrophoresis and compared