Question

1. Relate PCR to the replication process that happens in cells – how are they alike? How are replication and PCR different? You should answer this question by constructing a table that compares each component of the replication process in cells to the PCR process.

Answer 1

REPLICATION	PCR
occur in vivo	occur in vitro
DNA is separated by an ATP-dependent helicase	the DNA to be replicated is separated by heat denaturation.
DNA replication forks occurs	DNA replication forks donot occurs
the rate of DNA synthesis is 1 kb/s in E. coli	1-4 kb/min in a typical PCR reaction
DNA primases produce RNA primers in a sequence-independent manner on exposed single-stranded DNA. 5'->3' exonuclease activity to degrade RNA primers	no need of primase and 5'->3' exonuclease activity .