The Polymerase Chain Reaction

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is needed before we do Gel Electrophoresis of DNA. PCR allows us to quickly amplify/copy a single segment of DNA a billion times. Then that DNA can be run on a gel. We will watch this video and answer the following questions https://youtu.be/mdB-Edy6scE

1. What can the DNA Thermal Cycler do?
2. What happens to the DNA at 95 degrees Celsius?
3. What happens to the DNA at 50 degrees Celsius?
4. What happens to the DNA at 72 degrees Celsius?
5. What happens in cycle 2?
6. What are the “desired fragments” that quickly become the majority of DNA in the tube?
7. How many copies of your desired fragment are present after 4 PCR cycles?
8. How many copies of your desired fragment are present after 5 PCR cycles?
9. How many copies of your desired fragment after 30 PCR cycles?