Chapter 8, Problem 3MTF

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a rapid method involved in the amplification of a specific segment of the DNA molecule. This technique is used to generate a billion copies of the identical molecule of the DNA segment within a few hours (nearly 30 cycles). It is used for clinical studies and the evaluation of genomic variations. The important components used in PCR reactions are DNA, primer, deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (A, T, G, and C) or dNTPs, Taq DNA polymerase, MgCl2, and buffer. Denaturation (separation of double-stranded DNA into two single-strands of DNA), annealing (binding of primers to ends of single-stranded DNA), and extension (addition of dNTPs at 3’ site of the primer by DNA polymerase) are the three main steps of PCR in each cycle. The amplified products are analyzed using electrophoresis technique.