Polymerase Chain Reaction

Running head: POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION
POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION
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POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION1
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is considered as the technique that is used for
exponentially amplifying the explicit target sequence of deoxy-ribonucleic acid (DNA)
permitting for the extraction, sequencing or replicating of the single DNA sequences into
many other sequences. This technique was developed by Kary Mullis, a Nobel Prize winner,
in 1983, for his impeccable invention in the modern biotechnology (Lab tests online, 2019).
Through this technique, smallest DNA samples can be cloned and amplified into millions of
other DNA sequence copy and hence it is includes primer facilitated enzymatic augmentation
of DNA. There are different types of PCR that is commonly used and it majorly relies on the
process of thermal cycling that comprise of repeated heating and cooling cycles that will
trigger the DNA melting reaction and enzymatic replication. There are various application of
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in human, plants and animals sectors. PCR is currently the
most common and frequently used technique in the clinical and medical laboratory
examination for a comprehensive variability of applications that comprises of criminal
forensics and biomedical research (Poornima et al., 2016).

POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION2
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urce: (Lab tests online, 2019)
Components of PCR
The accomplishment of PCR reaction depends on different factors, where the reaction
components play a critical role in amplifying the DNA sequences. The components of PCR
reaction are as follows (Jalali, Zaborowska and Jalali, 2017):
 DNA Template- DNA template is the most crucial component namely double
stranded deoxy-ribonucleic acid (DNA) that is removed from the sample.
 DNA polymerase- DNA polymerase are considered as the crucial players of
replication and amplification of target DNA. Thermostable (Taq) DNA polymerase
are most widely used in PCR reaction because they have a little longer half-life (40
minutes) and can easily withstand the high temperature (98 °C) and function
effectively.
 Oligonucleotide primers- The short fragments of single stranded DNA are used for
the PCR reaction of approximately 20-30 base pairs. The primer sequence are
complementary to the target DNA sequence.
Sequencing
Samles (Cultered
cells, RNA and
DNA)
Detection Method Electrophorectic
Method
Amplification
Method
Polymerase Chain
Reaction (PCR)