Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Overview

A series of flashcards summarizing key concepts about the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), its reagents, processes, and outcomes.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique for amplifying a specific sequence of DNA.

Reagents of PCR

Includes DNA, DNA primers, PCR beads with Taq Polymerase, nucleotides (dNTPs), and water.

Taq Polymerase

An enzyme that builds new strands of DNA during the PCR process.

DNA Primers

Short DNA sequences (18-20 bp in length) on either end of the target sequence.

Denaturing

The first step of PCR, occurring at 95℃, where high temperature breaks the double-stranded DNA into single strands.

Annealing

The second step of PCR, cooling the mixture to 55℃, allowing primers to bind to their DNA strands.

Elongation/Extension

The third step of PCR, where the temperature is raised to 72℃, allowing Taq Polymerase to synthesize new DNA strands.

pBAD Promoter

A promoter that initiates transcription of genes in the context of the pGLO plasmid.

GFP

Green Fluorescent Protein, produced when the pBAD promoter is activated.

Final Elongation

The last step of PCR at 72℃ for 5:00 minutes after amplification cycles were completed.