StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Polymerase Chain Reaction - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The author of the paper titled "Polymerase Chain Reaction" identifies what PCR is, how it works, and why it is useful. The author also explains how separate the desired DNA from all others, and why it is possible to use a DNA sequence to identify bacteria…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER98.3% of users find it useful
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Polymerase Chain Reaction"

PCR is a polymerase chain reaction which is a low-cost procedure used to amplify or make copies of a single strand or chosen segments of DNA. We know that DNA is composed of two strings of pair bases. If we have one string, we can use it to build the other one. This is called mapping. During PCR, the sought-after DNA is given a thermal shock which leads to the opening of the strings. The strings are then provided the amino acids that they require to build another string.

This is how PCR works. Using this procedure, millions and trillions of copies of DNA can be produced. The procedure of PCR is useful because sometimes, during DNA tests and sampling procedures, more DNA than what is available is required. Biochemists find it very useful when they have a large number of replicas of the DNA or nucleotides they are working at. Hence, they do not find it difficult to find the DNA, recognize it during their experiments, and work with it. 4. How do you separate the desired DNA from all others?

Restriction enzymes are used to separate the desired DNS from all others in case PCR is not applicable or recommended. These enzymes cut down segments of genomic DNA at particular nucleotide sites. To separate these DNA fragments, electrophoresis procedures are used. Small-diameter capillary array gel electrophoresis provides quicker separation of fragments by the application of electric fields. This technique, which in this case is called pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), involves many ways, one of which is electro delusion which involves the use of multiple electrodes located orthogonally from the agarose gel containing DNA which is sealed in a dialysis tubing containing buffer.

Small pulses of alternate current are passed through this gel, which results in gene separation from the gel piece. The DNA is still in the dialysis tubing, so it is easily discoverable. Another way of recovering the DNA from the gel is by using agarase to digest the agarose, which leaves behind the desired DNA which we can separate easily. 5. Why is it possible to use a DNA sequence to identify bacteria?16s rRNA gene sequencing is used for the identification of bacteria and studying of bacterial phylogeny and taxonomy.

The reasons why DNA sequencing can be used for this purpose are many. First of all, the 16s rRNA gene is present in nearly all bacteria. DNA sequences are not found in other organisms. Second, since the functionality of 16s rRNA has not altered with time, this means that we can use its sequence changes as an accurate measure of time or evolution. In other words, when we have to identify a lot of diverse types of organisms, we require two main properties from the DNA. One is that the DNA should be similar among a particular group of organisms, for example, bacteria, and the second is that some parts of this DNA must have changed with evolution so that we can differentiate different species of organisms.

During PCR, we pick DNA anchors that have variable parts of DNA in between them. If DNA cloning is possible in this case, then this means that we have identified the bacteria.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Homework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Homework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/biology/1587341-homework
(Homework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
Homework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words. https://studentshare.org/biology/1587341-homework.
“Homework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/biology/1587341-homework.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Polymerase Chain Reaction

THE POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR)

THE Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) The Polymerase Chain Reaction is basically a different and an innovative technology which is used for amplifying a single piece of DNA for different orders of magnitude resulting in creating millions of copies of one single DNA sequence.... The last and a very important step is extension in which one the primers are annealed to the DNA sequence which is complementary and the temperature is raised to 72 degree Celsius which will also end up in tagging DNA polymerase enzyme....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Polymerase Chain Reaction, Fingerprinting for Crime Detection

The paper "Polymerase Chain Reaction, Fingerprinting for Crime Detection" underlines that to establish criminal as the main perpetuator further analysis should be done using a mini satellite marker to obtain a distinct banding pattern that distinguishes between victim and criminal.... The invention of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) by Kery Mullis in 1983(1) has revolutionized the way DNA was looked upon.... Finally, after 3 cycle extension is be performed at 72°C for 5 min to complete any unamplified reaction....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

The Polymerase Chain Reaction:

he 94C step in the procedure results in Deadline: To handed in 2nd of March The Polymerase Chain Reaction: Its use in genetic testing.... If the reaction has worked, what is your genotype for the polymorphism?... My gel did not show any reaction.... 72C is the temperature at which the Taq DNA polymerase is most active.... At this temperature the polymerase binds and adds nucleotides to the 3′ ends of annealed primers resulting in the extension of complementary DNA....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Viral Genome Detection Using Polymerase Chain Reaction

The purpose of this experiment 'Viral Genome Detection Using Polymerase Chain Reaction' is to detect the presence of viral genome in the genomic DNA of HeLa and MRC5 cell lines.... One tool that has revolutionized the field of clinical diagnostics is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), an enzymatic procedure which amplifies a specific fragment of DNA or RNA (Lion et al.... The purpose of this experiment is to detect the presence of viral genome using the Polymerase Chain Reaction....
4 Pages (1000 words) Lab Report

Phenyl Thiocarbanate and Polymerase Chain Reaction

The paper "Phenyl Thiocarbanate and Polymerase Chain Reaction " discusses that the bitter taste of some foods might discourage tasters from consuming those foods.... Diet rich in phenol, flavonoids and glucosinolates are effective in lowering the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease....
15 Pages (3750 words) Research Paper

Components and Processes within a Polymerase Chain Reaction

This assignment "Components and Processes within a Polymerase Chain Reaction" presents Polymerase Chain Reaction as a form of scientific technique that is made use of in the amplification of pieces of DNA that result in a great number of copies of a type of DNA sequence....
6 Pages (1500 words) Assignment

Polymerase Chain Reaction as a Method of DNA Fingerprinting

"Polymerase Chain Reaction as a Method of DNA Fingerprinting" paper identifies which suspect left their DNA at the Scene of Crime.... Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has the capability of producing large amounts of a specific piece of DNA of starting amounts from trace amounts.... Then there were 5 PCR tubes with reaction beads and primer mix.... It is a point worth noting that, this methodology engages two primers; short single-stranded sequences of DNA and a special high-temperature stable polymerase so as to come up with a variety of copies of a sequence in a DNA sample....
6 Pages (1500 words) Lab Report

Identifying the Obscure Microorganism Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction Technology

"Identifying the Obscure Microorganism Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction Technology" paper employs techniques such as prokaryotic cell culture, transformation, gene expression, protein purification, and electrophoresis in order to provide the necessary components of Polymerase Chain Reaction.... Consequently, a Polymerase Chain Reaction has become adopted and is essential in day-to-day biological research lab applications.... In addition, Polymerase Chain Reaction generates enough materials for future experimental analysis (Huang et al....
12 Pages (3000 words) Lab Report
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us