Question

What is the role of PCR in the amplification of DNA?

• A. It creates mutations in the DNA
• B. It separates the DNA strands
• C. It amplifies DNA segments
• D. It transfers DNA between species

Hint:

PCR is one of the most powerful tools in molecular biology, allowing for the amplification of specific DNA regions to study genes or mutations.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding PCR.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a laboratory technique used to amplify specific segments of DNA, making many copies of a particular region.

Step 2: Analyzing the Options.
(A) It creates mutations in the DNA: This is incorrect. PCR is not used to create mutations but to amplify DNA.
(B) It separates the DNA strands: While PCR does involve the denaturation of DNA (separating the strands), its primary purpose is amplification, not separation.
(C) It amplifies DNA segments: Correct — PCR specifically amplifies target DNA segments, making it possible to study and analyze specific DNA regions.
(D) It transfers DNA between species: This is unrelated to PCR. Transferring DNA between species is typically part of genetic engineering, not PCR.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C) It amplifies DNA segments, as PCR is designed to create many copies of a specific DNA segment for analysis.