The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) protocol that is currently used in laboratories was facilitated by the discovery of a bacterium called Thermus aquaticus in a hot spring inside Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming. This organism contains a heat-stable form of DNA polymerase known as Taq polymerase, which continues to function even after it has been heated to 95oC. Why would such a heat-stable polymerase be beneficial in PCR

A) Each cycle includes a "hot" denaturation phase (95°C), which separates the hydrogen bonds that hold the strands of the template DNA together.

B) Each cycle includes a "hot" denaturation phase (95°C), which serves to sterilize the culture.

C) Each cycle includes a "hot" denaturation phase (95°C), which activates the Taq polymerase.

D) Each cycle includes a "hot" saturation phase (95°C), which allows the primers to anneal to the target DNA.

E) More than one of the above are correct.

Question

Biology

Nicole Sharp

30 August, 17:40

The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) protocol that is currently used in laboratories was facilitated by the discovery of a bacterium called Thermus aquaticus in a hot spring inside Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming. This organism contains a heat-stable form of DNA polymerase known as Taq polymerase, which continues to function even after it has been heated to 95oC. Why would such a heat-stable polymerase be beneficial in PCR

A) Each cycle includes a "hot" denaturation phase (95°C), which separates the hydrogen bonds that hold the strands of the template DNA together.

B) Each cycle includes a "hot" denaturation phase (95°C), which serves to sterilize the culture.

C) Each cycle includes a "hot" denaturation phase (95°C), which activates the Taq polymerase.

D) Each cycle includes a "hot" saturation phase (95°C), which allows the primers to anneal to the target DNA.

E) More than one of the above are correct.

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June · Answer 1

Option A, the purpose of the heating phase would be to denature the strands before the following cycle of PCR of primer annealing and sequence extension by Taq polymerase