In: Biology
Describe the ingredients necessary for a PCR reaction, and why they are necessary.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) :-
• This is in vivo amplification of DNA sample.
In this process, a DNA sample amplified with help of various
ingredients which are -
1. Target DNA/ DNA sample -
• This is the DNA sequence which will undergo amplification
process.
• Sample DNA strands are used as template strands in PCR. (* Both
strands of sample DNA acts as template strands).
2. Primer :-
• Two primers or one set of primer is used in PCR.
• These are oligonucleotide sequences which determine from where
the replication process will start.
• Primer provides attachment site for DNA polymerase enzyme (taq
polymerase enzyme).
3. deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs) :-
• These are building blocks of DNA and used in formation of new
strand during PCR.
4. DNA polymerase :-
• In PCR, a thermostable DNA polymerase is used, because this
enzyme can survive on high temperatures (94-96°C) during PCR.
• This enzyme adds new nucleotides and forms new strand of DNA on
template DNA.
• A specific thermostable DNA polymerase named taq polymerase is
used in PCR.
5. Magnisium ions -
• These are cofactor for enzyme DNA polymerase.
6. Buffer solution -
• This solution maintains the pH of the reaction solution and makes
pH ideal for enzymatic activity.