The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has revolutionized biology and medicine, by allowing small regions of DNA to be amplified up to a billion-fold over 30 cycles in a few hours. Each cycle involves heating the DNA to 95°C to separate the two strands, the sample is then cooled to allow primers to bind, and finally the temperature is raised to the optimal temperature for the DNA polymerase to replicate the DNA. This process makes use of the DNA polymerase from a species of bacteria isolated from hot springs, Thermus aquaticus, which grows at 70°C. Human body temperature is 37°C. What would you predict about the DNA polymerase from T. aquaticus compared with DNA polymerases from human cells?

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Biology

19 January, 15:34

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has revolutionized biology and medicine, by allowing small regions of DNA to be amplified up to a billion-fold over 30 cycles in a few hours. Each cycle involves heating the DNA to 95°C to separate the two strands, the sample is then cooled to allow primers to bind, and finally the temperature is raised to the optimal temperature for the DNA polymerase to replicate the DNA. This process makes use of the DNA polymerase from a species of bacteria isolated from hot springs, Thermus aquaticus, which grows at 70°C. Human body temperature is 37°C. What would you predict about the DNA polymerase from T. aquaticus compared with DNA polymerases from human cells?

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Answers (1)

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Natasha Bullock · Answer 1

DNA polymerases from human cells will denature under these conditions.

Explanation:

Under the PCR conditions described, DNA polymerase from T. aquaticus would be more effective than DNA polymerase from human cells. This is due to the higher optimal temperature of DNA polymerase from T. aquaticus.