Question

One cycle of PCR has three steps. In a typical PCR each step of the PCR occurs at one of the temperatures shown below. For each temperature, give the name of that step.

95^oC:

55^oC:

72^oC:

Answer 1

At 95 degrees Denaturation of the DNA strands occur during which the two strands separate by breaking of the Hydrogen bonds between them.

At 55 degree, annealing of the primer to the template DNA occurs by complementary base pairing to prime the replication reaction by DNA polymerase.

At 72 degree, extension of the daughter DNA strands occur by the DNA Polymerase activity. At this temperature the Thermophilus aquaticus Taq polymerase can function as it is derived from a heat resistant bacteria.