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Question
Explain briefly:
PCR
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Solution
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a technique used to create multiple copies of a specific DNA segment in vitro. It amplifies DNA by repeated cycles of three steps:
- Denaturation: Heating the double-stranded DNA to around 94°C to separate it into single strands.
- Annealing: Cooling to 46-60°C to allow short primers to bind to complementary sequences on the single-stranded DNA.
- Extension: Raising the temperature to about 72°C so a heat-stable DNA polymerase (Taq polymerase) synthesizes new complementary strands, duplicating the target DNA.
Repeating these cycles exponentially amplifies the DNA segment, producing millions of copies rapidly. PCR is widely used for DNA amplification, genetic fingerprinting, disease detection, DNA sequencing, and molecular mapping. It was introduced by Kary Mullis in 1985 and relies on the thermostable enzyme from Thermus aquaticus to function at high temperatures without being denatured.
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