Open Question
Use the following choices to answer questions 9 and 10:
a. C. trachomatis
b. E. coli
c. Mycobacterium hominis
d. S. saprophyticus
In cases of NGU, diagnosis is made using PCR to detect microbial DNA.
17. Biotechnology
The Steps of PCR
Struggling with Microbiology?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
If you start with one double-stranded DNA molecule and you perform SIX cycles of PCR, how many double- stranded copies of the DNA will you have?
A
6.
B
8.
C
16.
D
32.
E
64.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a technique used to amplify DNA, where each cycle doubles the number of DNA molecules.
Start with the initial number of double-stranded DNA molecules, which is 1 in this case.
Recognize that each cycle of PCR doubles the number of DNA molecules. Therefore, after one cycle, you will have 2 double-stranded DNA molecules.
Apply the doubling process for each subsequent cycle. After two cycles, you will have 4 molecules; after three cycles, 8 molecules; and so on.
Use the formula for exponential growth in PCR: \( N = N_0 \times 2^n \), where \( N_0 \) is the initial number of DNA molecules (1 in this case), and \( n \) is the number of cycles (6 cycles). Calculate \( 1 \times 2^6 \) to determine the total number of double-stranded DNA molecules after six cycles.
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