Question

Choose the correct statement with regard to quantitative PCR?

(a) End-point PCR is favourable over real time PCR

(b) In real time PCR, quantification is done as the reaction is going on

(c) If the product measurement is done after the completion then the measurement is done by target sequence and no other factor affects it

(d) If the primers are available in limited amount, then the product obtained is proportional to the target sequence

The question was posed to me during an online interview.

My question is taken from Modifications in PCR topic in chapter Polymerase Chain Reaction of Genetic Engineering

Answer 1

Correct choice is (b) In real time PCR, quantification is done as the reaction is going on

Easiest explanation: Real-time PCR is favourable over end-point PCR. It is so because real-time PCR is performed when the PCR is going on and the end-point PCR is performed when the PCR has been completed. In the end-point PCR, it is limited by the amount of reactants such as primers. If fewer amounts of primers are there, the product formed is less and is not proportional to the amount of target sequence only.