PCR & Gel electrophoresis Lab Class Prep Quiz

What is the primary purpose of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)?

• To sequence DNA

• To amplify DNA

• To cut DNA

• To visualise DNA

Which enzyme is crucial for the PCR process?

• DNA ligase

• DNA polymerase

• RNA polymerase

• Restriction enzyme

What is the first step in a typical PCR cycle?

• Annealing

• Extension

• Denaturation

• Elongation

During the annealing step of PCR, what happens?

• DNA strands separate

• Primers bind to the DNA template

• DNA polymerase synthesises new DNA

• DNA fragments are cut

What is the purpose of agarose gel electrophoresis in DNA analysis?

• To amplify DNA

• To sequence DNA

• To separate DNA fragments by size

• To cut DNA

What is the role of the buffer in agarose gel electrophoresis?

• To stain the DNA

• To provide ions that carry the current

• To denature the DNA

• To cut the DNA

In agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA fragments move towards which electrode?

• Anode (positive)

• Cathode (negative)

• Both anode and cathode

• Neither anode nor cathode

What determines the speed at which DNA fragments move through an agarose gel?

• The length of the DNA fragments

• The sequence of the DNA fragments

• The temperature of the gel

• The pH of the buffer

Which of the following is NOT a component of a typical PCR reaction mixture?

• DNA template

• Primers

• RNA polymerase

• dNTPs (deoxynucleotide triphosphates)

What is the purpose of the loading dye in agarose gel electrophoresis?

• To visualize DNA under UV light

• To provide a color marker for tracking DNA migration

• To denature the DNA

• To keep the DNA in your sample from diffusing away in the buffer