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Multiple Choice
Which of the following enzymes is used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)?
A
Taq polymerase
B
Protease
C
Amylase
D
Lipase
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the purpose of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is to amplify DNA sequences.
Recognize that PCR requires a DNA polymerase enzyme that can withstand the high temperatures used during the denaturation step of the cycle.
Identify Taq polymerase as a thermostable enzyme derived from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus, which is capable of withstanding the high temperatures of PCR.
Differentiate Taq polymerase from other enzymes such as protease, amylase, and lipase, which do not have the necessary properties for DNA amplification in PCR.
Conclude that Taq polymerase is the enzyme used in PCR due to its ability to function at high temperatures, making it suitable for the repeated cycles of denaturation and synthesis in the PCR process.