PCR and gel electrophoresis

What is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)?

PCR is a technique used to amplify a specific segment of DNA, making millions of copies from a small initial sample.

What are the main components of PCR?

The main components of PCR are DNA template, primers, DNA polymerase, and nucleotides.

What is the function of primers in PCR?

Primers are short sequences of nucleotides that provide a starting point for DNA synthesis during PCR.

What role does DNA polymerase play in PCR?

DNA polymerase is an enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to the growing DNA chain during PCR.

What are the three main steps of PCR?

The three main steps of PCR are denaturation, annealing, and extension.

What happens during the denaturation step in PCR?

Denaturation involves heating the reaction mixture to separate the double-stranded DNA into two single strands.

What is gel electrophoresis used for?

Gel electrophoresis is a technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or proteins based on their size and charge.

How does gel electrophoresis work?

In gel electrophoresis, an electric current is applied to a gel matrix, causing charged molecules to migrate towards the electrode of opposite charge.

What is the purpose of a DNA ladder in gel electrophoresis?

A DNA ladder is a mixture of known DNA fragment sizes used as a reference to estimate the size of DNA fragments in a sample.

What can PCR and gel electrophoresis be used for together?

PCR and gel electrophoresis can be used together for analyzing genetic material, such as identifying genetic variations or mutations.