PCR = DNA ?
LB 145
January 27, 2011
• Does PCR happen inside your body?
(How do you raise your temp to 95°C?)
• PCR was invented in the last 30 years.
It exploits our knowledge of another
process called ??...
• Through the process of DNA Replication
Why?
• Each cell must have a way to
copy its entire genome
– Cell Division
– Damage Control
Where does this take place?
Check this out
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teV62
zrm2P0&feature=related
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGU
uX4PGlCc
PCR vs. DNA Replication
• Similarities?
– Copy DNA
– Move 5’-3’ via a polymerase enzyme
– require primers
PCR vs. DNA Replication
• Differences?
– Constant temperature (body temp is 37C)
• Enzymes are the workhorses
–
–
–
–
All 3 stages happen simultaneously
Multiple enzymes vs. Taq Polymerase
Leading/Lagging Strand
RNA primers vs DNA primers
So, what are we doing again?
• PCR is selective DNA replication, it
exploits our knowledge of the DNA rep.
• Instead of using difficult (and expensive)
enzymes in the body we used more
controllable, predictable PCR machines.