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): In Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), DNA polymerase isolated from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus is preferred over normal DNA polymerase. Reason (R): Taq polymerase remains active and does not denature during the high-temperature denaturation step of the PCR cycle. In the light of the above stateme
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is correct but (R) is not correct
- D(A) is not correct but (R) is correct
Correct answer
A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Step-by-step solution
In Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), repeated cycles of heating are required to separate the DNA strands (denaturation). Normal DNA polymerase would be destroyed by these high temperatures. Therefore, a thermostable DNA polymerase isolated from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus (Taq polymerase) is used. It remains active during the high-temperature denaturation step, allowing the process to be automated without adding fresh enzyme in every cycle. Thus, both Assertion and Reason are correct, and the Reason