Question

Which of the following activity is not present in Taq polymerase?

(a) 5’-3’ polymerase

(b) 5’-3’ exonuclease

(c) 3’-5’ exonuclease

(d) Both 5’-3’ polymerase and 5’-3’ exonuclease

The question was posed to me in quiz.

My doubt is from The Basic Technique topic in chapter Polymerase Chain Reaction of Genetic Engineering

Answer 1

Correct option is (c) 3’-5’ exonuclease

The best I can explain: Taq polymerase is not having 3’-5’ exonuclease activity. It is a proof reading activity and it is very important to have a check on the mutations if they are encountered in the PCR products.