Learning Sheet - PCR
Class_____ Name____________
Describe the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).(p.188, p.115~116)
a)
b)
What is PCR used for?
A. Separate fragments of DNA by size
B. Amplify small amounts of DNA
C. Compare DNA samples
D. Genetically modify organisms’ DNA
The process of PCR
Step 1: _________________of DNA
“____________” means to separate the DNA strands into 2 separate strands’ This involves
heating the DNA sample up to _____________.
Step 2: _________the DNA
“______________” means to add. In this step 2 ___________ are added to the 2 separated
DNA strands. (1 on each strand). The temperature is “cooled” to _____, this helps the
primers bind to the DNA. The primer is an attachment that signals to a _____________
where to start ____________________ (making) new DNA.
Step 3: “____________” of DNA - New DNA Created.
2 _________________ molecules attach to the 2 ____________ on the 2 DNA strands and
move along the strand. As they move along they create new “____________________ ”
DNA. Temperature goes up to ___________.
c) Sum up
● By heating the DNA to separate it into 2 strands (_______________)
● Cooling the DNA to add 1 primer to each of the 2 DNA strands (______________)
● And by Adding 1 polymerase to each strand to synthesize DNA from where the
primer attached (_______________). You just ______________ the amount of DNA
present.