Recombinant DNA Technology Problem Set

Problem 1: PCR primers

Tutorial to help answer the question

Which of the following primers would allow copying of the single-stranded DNA sequence 5' ATGCCTAGGTC?

A. 5' ATGCC

B. 5' TACGG

C. 5' CTGGA

D. 5' GACCT

E. 5' GGCAT

Tutorial

Primers

The process of DNA replication uses RNA primers. To make a copy of DNA from a known part of the chromosome, for example by PCR, short primers of DNA are added to DNA in a test tube and the appropriate enzymes are included to make a copy of the DNA. The primers must be complementary to the DNA and obey the polarity rule.

For the sequence: 5' ATGCCTAGGTC the primer would have to be 5'GACCT. Extending the 3' T would copy the single-stranded DNA sequence.

The Biology Project
University of Arizona
Updated: July 15, 1999
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