PCR
(polymerase chain reaction)
By: Laura, Emily & Maggie
What is PCR?
 PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction
 PCR is a method used to rapidly make
multiple copies of a specific segment of DNA
 It can be used to make millions of copies of
DNA from a very small amount of DNA
Process: Cycle 1
 Denatuation: The first step of PCR is heating the samples
of DNA to 94-96 degrees C for a few minutes to separate
the DNA into single strands.
 Annealing: The temperature is then lowered to 50-65
degrees C for a few minutes to allow the primers (used to
bracket the DNA being amplified) to match up with their
complementary sequences.
 Extension: The temperature is heated to 72 degrees C for
several minutes to allow the TAQ polymerase to attach at
each priming site, creating a new DNA strand.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Common Uses
 PCR was created in 1938 by Kary Mullis
 It is now a common technique used in medical as well as
scientific research
 Some ways in which PCR is used are, DNA cloning,
diagnosis of hereditary diseases, identification of genetic
fingerprints( also used in forensics and paternity testing)
PCR & crime scene analysis
PCR helps DNA fingerprinting in
discriminating, reproducing and
multiplying DNA from very small or
injured samples.
PCR animated
http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/
animations/content/pcr.html
http://highered.mcgrawhill.com/olc/dl/120078/micro15.swf
Sources

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymerase_chain_reaction - 94k
 www.dnalc.org/ddnalc/resources/pcr.html - 10k
 http://users.ugent.be/~avierstr/principles/pcr.html
 http://fig.cox.miami.edu/~cmallery/150/gene/mol_gen.htm
 DNA fingerprinting packet
 http://highered.mcgrawhill.com/olc/dl/120078/micro15.swf