Question

Explain: the mechanism and importance of PCR (3 marks)

Answer 1

The importance of PCR is used to make millions of copies of a target piece of DNA

Answer 2

PCR's full form is Polymer Chain Reaction.

• It is a method used to make millions to billions of copies of DNA that are used to conduct various experimental studies.

• PCR works on thermal cycling that involves heating of DNA to convert into single-stranded DNA.

• The action of Taq polymerase enzyme on the single-stranded DNA to synthesize new strands. This cycle happens at least 30-40 times to obtain millions to billions of copies.

• The importance of PCR is that it is used for isolation of DNA, amplification and quantification of DNA, medical and diagnostic, infectious disease applications, etc.