What is the role of primers in PCR?

Practice Questions

Q1
What is the role of primers in PCR?
  1. To stabilize the DNA
  2. To initiate DNA synthesis
  3. To degrade unwanted DNA
  4. To amplify RNA

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

What is the role of primers in PCR?
  • Step 1: Understand that PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction, which is a method used to make many copies of a specific DNA segment.
  • Step 2: Know that primers are short pieces of DNA that are designed to match the beginning of the DNA segment you want to copy.
  • Step 3: Realize that during PCR, the temperature is changed to separate the two strands of the DNA.
  • Step 4: When the temperature cools down, the primers attach to the specific starting points on the single-stranded DNA.
  • Step 5: The enzyme Taq polymerase then starts adding nucleotides to the primers, building new strands of DNA.
  • Step 6: This process repeats, allowing for the exponential amplification of the target DNA segment.
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