Answer to Question #134647 in Biology for Kiana

Question

1. What are the two types of restriction enzymes?

2. Why is Taq polymerase used in PCR in replacement to DNA polymerase?

3. What role does reverse transcription play in testing samples from patients for COVID-19?

Answer 1

1. Type I restriction enzymes cut DNA at defined positions close to their recognition sequences and produce discrete fragments. Type II restriction enzymes cleave DNA within their recognition sequences and produce identical DNA ends.

2. Taq polymerase is a temperature-stable polymerase that does not lose its activity at high temperatures (over 50 degrees).

3. Reverse transcription allows that synthesis of a complementary DNA fragment from a viral RNA template. This DNA can be further easily identified using PCR.