Final answer:
GC content is the ratio of G and C nucleotides in a DNA molecule. It affects the stability and melting temperature (Tm) of nucleic acids. Higher GC content in primers leads to higher Tm and better success in cloning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The GC content refers to the ratio of guanine (G) and cytosine (C) nucleotides to the total number of nucleotides in a DNA molecule. It is used to measure the stability and melting temperature (Tm) of nucleic acids. The higher the GC content, the higher the Tm, and the more stable the molecule.
When designing primers for a cloning experiment, it is important to consider the GC content. A primer with a higher GC content will have a higher Tm and will anneal more efficiently to the DNA template, increasing the success of the cloning experiment.