Question R16 Q25 - NSB MS 2012

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process is a method that makes it possible to replicate DNA segments in a very short amount of time using alternating periods of heating and cooling. The periods of heating would denature most proteins, such as DNA polymerases [pol-uh-muh-RAYS-uhs], and make them nonfunctional, especially at the high temperatures used during PCR. How is this obstacle overcome in modern PCR reactions?

W) DNA polymerase is added between each period of heating and cooling

X) The DNA polymerase used is from a species of bacteria that live in hot springs, so the DNA polymerase can function at high temperatures

Y) RNA polymerase is more heat resistant and is used instead, and then the DNA is reverse transcribed from the RNA

Z) DNA polymerases in most species are proteins that do not denature easily, so this process can function at high temperatures

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