Question

PCR is a technology that has many useful applications with biotechnology. What are some of those applications? What are the advantages of PCR over gene cloning for generating many copies of a DNA fragment?

Humans are almost identical in the protein-coding sections of the genome, yet each individual has a unique DNA profile. Explain how this is possible.

Answer 1

PCR enables the production, or amplification of billions of copies of an original piece of DNA in a tube within minutes or hours not days. Some of the applications of PCR are given below :In gene cloning is a troublesome process as compared to PCR. In gene cloning first we need to insert the DNA that we want to clone into a vector then, a cloning agent like bacteria is made to take up that vector. Now we have to wait for days to get copies of that DNA. Instead in PCR we don't need to insert DNA into a vector, neither we need any cloning agent nor wait for days to get copies. But we get a million copies within hours of PCR with a simple procedure by the use of taq polymerase enzyme.

We humans belong to the same species but yet there are differences in each one of our genome that make each of us unique. Almost 99.9% of our genome is similar with any other humans, even 99% of our genome is similar with other chimpanzees. It is that 0.1% that makes us unique from each other. Each human basic structure, metabolism and activites require same genes which code for the same proteins that we all require to be humans. It is like having 1 or 2 different bases in every 1400 to 1600 DNA bases. I have read some where that if we see ourself as books then, we all have the same chapters in the same order and we all tell the same story but it is just that few words in that book are different which make that book's edition ours.