NEETZoologyBiotechnology - Principles and Processes
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): PCR is routinely used to detect mutations in genes in suspected cancer patients. Reason (R): PCR can amplify specific DNA segments, allowing the detection of mutated genes even when the number of affected cells is very low. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the op
Options
- ABoth Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
- BAssertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.
- CAssertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.
- DBoth Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Correct answer
D. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Step-by-step solution
Assertion (A) is true. According to NCERT, PCR is a powerful technique routinely used to detect mutations in genes in suspected cancer patients. Reason (R) is also true and provides the correct explanation for the assertion. The primary diagnostic power of PCR lies in its ability to amplify very low amounts of nucleic acids. Even if the number of mutated cells is extremely low (as in the early stages of cancer before large masses form), PCR can amplify the specific mutated DNA segments to detectable levels, making