Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

These flashcards focus on key terminology and concepts related to PCR and its applications in genetics.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique used to amplify and isolate specific DNA sequences.

Template DNA

The DNA used as a sample from which specific sequences can be amplified.

DNA polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to an existing strand.

Primers

Chemically synthesized short sequences of nucleotides used to initiate DNA synthesis.

Denaturation

The first step in PCR where the double-stranded DNA is separated into single strands by heating.

Annealing

The step in PCR where primers bind to their complementary sequences on the single-stranded DNA.

Extension

The step of PCR where new DNA strands are synthesized from the template strand.

Centrifugation

A technique used to separate components of a mixture based on density, often used to collect DNA pellets.

Quantitative PCR (qPCR)

A variation of PCR that measures the amount of DNA produced during the amplification process in real-time.

Reverse Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR)

A method used to amplify and quantify mRNA by converting it into cDNA before PCR.

Chelating agent

A substance like EDTA that binds to metal ions to protect DNA from degradation.

Ethanol precipitation

A method used to isolate DNA by causing it to precipitate out of solution.

Electrophoresis

A technique used to separate DNA fragments based on size for visualization after PCR.

Sensitivity of PCR

The capability of PCR to detect small amounts of DNA.

Specificity of PCR

The ability of PCR to amplify only the target DNA sequence from a mixture of DNA.

Genotyping

The process of determining the genetic constitution of an individual, often for identification or paternity testing.