Question

Isothermal amplification is carried out at times. Which of the statement is true?

(a) The repeated heating and cooling required by PCR is not the reason for limiting how quickly the reaction is carried out

(b) It is carried out typically at 65 degrees

(c) Normal Taq polymerase is used

(d) It requires expensive PCR machines to be carried out

I have been asked this question in an internship interview.

The doubt is from Modifications in PCR in division Polymerase Chain Reaction of Genetic Engineering

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) It is carried out typically at 65 degrees

Easiest explanation: Isothermal PCR is that in which the reaction is carried out at typically 65 degrees. The repeated heating and cooling cycles required by the PCR is the reason for limiting how quickly the reaction is carried out. In this case, DNA polymerase with strand displacing activity is used and it avoids heating at high temperatures. It is a rapid process and expensive PCR machines are not used.