Question

what do you mean by PCR and what is its role in biology?

Answer 1

Answer:

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was originally developed in 1983 by the American biochemist Kary Mullis. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993 for his pioneering work.

PCR is used in molecular biology to make many copies of (amplify) small sections of DNA or a gene.

Using PCR it is possible to generate thousands to millions of copies of a particular section of DNA from a very small amount of DNA.

PCR is a common tool used in medical and biological research labs. It is used in the early stages of processing DNA for sequencing, for detecting the presence or absence of a gene to help identify pathogens during infection, and when generating forensic DNA profiles from tiny samples of DNA.

Answer 2

Hey there!

• PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. It is a widely used technique of DNA amplification. The technique was given by Kary Mullis.

• This technique amplifies gene in-vitro to produce billions of copies of particular DNA in a short time.

• It consists of 3 steps :

☞ Denaturation: The separation of two strands is called denaturation. Dilute acid or base or heating at high temperature can be used for denaturation. Usually DNA is heated at 90-94°C for a short time.

☞ Annealing: It means hybridization. A new DNA is synthesized on separated strands. To synthesize new DNA, a primer is required. Primer is a small fragment of RNA.

☞Extension: A new DNA is synthesized in this step. This step requires 72°C. An enzyme called DNA polymerase is required for this step which is isolated from a thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus, hence it is called Taq polymerase.

➜ Role in Biology :

• The polymerase chain reaction is often considered as one of the most important scientific advances in the field of molecular biology. The following are the applications/ importance of PCR in the field of biology :

• Medicine:

-Testing of genetic disease mutations.

- Monitoring the gene in gene therapy.

- Detecting disease-causing genes in the

parents.

• Forensic Science:

- Used as a tool in genetic fingerprinting.

- Identifying the criminal from millions of

people.

- Paternity tests

• Research and Genetics:

- Compare the genome of two organisms in

genomic studies.

- In the phylogenetic analysis of DNA from

any source such as fossils.

- Analysis of gene expression.

- Gene Mapping

Happy learning!