Multiple Choice
PCR is used to _____.
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Introduction to Polymerase Chain Reaction
2:43 minutesProblem 14
Textbook Question
How many copies could PCR make if we started with one copy of a template and performed 15 cycles of copying?
a. A few
b. A few hundred
c. A few thousand
d. Millions
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplifies DNA by doubling the number of copies each cycle, assuming 100% efficiency.
Recall the formula for the number of DNA copies after n cycles starting from one copy: \(\text{Number of copies} = 2^{n}\), where \(n\) is the number of cycles.
Substitute the given number of cycles (15) into the formula: \(\text{Number of copies} = 2^{15}\).
Calculate or estimate the value of \$2^{15}$ to determine the approximate number of copies produced after 15 cycles.
Compare the calculated number to the options provided (a few, a few hundred, a few thousand, millions) to select the correct answer.
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2mKey Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Basics
PCR is a technique used to amplify a specific DNA segment exponentially by cycling through denaturation, annealing, and extension steps. Each cycle ideally doubles the number of DNA copies, leading to rapid accumulation of the target sequence.
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Exponential Amplification in PCR
In PCR, the number of DNA copies doubles with each cycle, so after n cycles, the total copies equal 2^n. Starting with one copy, 15 cycles would produce 2^15 copies, illustrating the power of exponential growth in molecular biology.
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Calculating PCR Product Quantity
To estimate the number of DNA copies after PCR, use the formula 2^n, where n is the number of cycles. For 15 cycles, 2^15 equals 32,768 copies, which corresponds to tens of thousands, helping to choose the correct answer from the options.
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