Cyclone and PCR Processes

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the processes of denaturation, annealing, and elongation in PCR, and the structural characteristics of nucleic acids.

denaturation

The first step in the PCR process where the double-stranded DNA melts due to high temperatures, breaking hydrogen bonds.

Annealing

The second step in the PCR process where primers bind to their complementary templates.

Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands during the PCR process by adding nucleotides.

DNTPs

Deoxynucleotide triphosphates, the building blocks for DNA synthesis added during extension.

Magnesium plus two (Mg^2+)

A cofactor required for polymerase activity, stabilizing the structure during the PCR reaction.

Glycosidic bond

A bond between the nitrogenous base and the pentose sugar in nucleotides.

Phosphodiester bond

A bond that link nucleotides together in a DNA or RNA strand.

Hygroscopic characteristics

The property of certain compounds, such as primers, that allows them to stabilize charges and enhance hybridization.

Hairpin structure

Secondary structure formed in RNA molecules, resembling a hairpin, due to complementary base pairing.

Tertiary structure

The three-dimensional shape formed by a molecule, important for the functionality of nucleic acids.