2.1.2 Copying Our Genes

72 degrees c

what is the temperature for step 3?

94-96 degrees c

what is the temperature for the first step?

50-65 degrees c

what is the temperature for the second step?

PCR

A technique that involves copying short pieces of DNA and then making millions of copies in a short period of time

second step

Anneal primers

first step

Denature DNA

Polymerase chain reaction

What does PCR stand for?

third step

extend primers

Thermal cycler

it's precise, timely, and rapid with temperature changes.

Denature DNA

samples are heated for one to several minutes to denature (separate into single strands) the target DNA

primers

targets a specific gene or region of DNA

Anneal primers

temperature is lowered for one to several minutes. Allows left and right primers to anneal (base pairs) to their complementary sequences. The primers are designed to bracket the DNA region to be amplified.

Extend primers

temperature is raised for one to several minutes. This allows Taq polymerase to attach at each priming site and extend (synthesize) a new DNA strand.