Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Overview

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), including its definition, stages, components, and applications.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique for amplifying target sequences of DNA in vitro using sequence-specific primers, a heat-resistant DNA polymerase, and deoxyribonucleotides.

Denaturation

The first step of the PCR cycle where dsDNA is heated to separate into ssDNA.

Annealing

The second step of the PCR cycle where primers bind to the single-stranded DNA template.

Extension

The third step of the PCR cycle where DNA polymerase extends the bound primers in the 5’ to 3’ direction by adding dNTPs.

Taq DNA polymerase

A thermostable DNA polymerase commonly used in PCR that can withstand high temperatures.

dNTPs

Deoxynucleotide triphosphates, the building blocks used by DNA polymerase to synthesize new DNA strands.

PCR Primers

Short sections of single-stranded DNA that are complementary to the target sequence, used to initiate DNA synthesis.

Thermal Cycler

A machine that automatically changes temperatures in PCR cycles to facilitate denaturation, annealing, and extension.

Exponential Amplification

The process in PCR where the number of double-stranded DNA copies doubles with each cycle.

Reverse Transcriptase

An enzyme used to convert RNA into complementary DNA (cDNA), enabling amplification of RNA sequences through RT-PCR.

Agarose Gel Electrophoresis

A technique used to analyze PCR products by separating them based on size.

Negative Control

A control sample in PCR that contains all components except the DNA template, used to check for contamination.