Final answer:
Reverse Transcriptase PCR is a technique used to convert RNA into cDNA using the enzyme reverse transcriptase, dNTPs, and a specific primer, usually in a molecular biology context.
Step-by-step explanation:
To perform the RT-PCR, one utilizes the enzyme reverse transcriptase to transcribe RNA into DNA, specifically creating a complementary DNA (cDNA) strand from an mRNA template. During this process, dNTPs (deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates), which are the building blocks of DNA, are incorporated into the growing DNA strand by the reverse transcriptase enzyme. A dT15 primer is a short DNA sequence that provides a starting point for DNA synthesis. This method is essential in molecular biology for studying gene expression, diagnosing diseases, and cloning expressed genes.
Overall, the reverse transcriptase requires an RNA template to produce a cDNA molecule, which can then be amplified through standard PCR techniques. The newly synthesized cDNA is a stable double-stranded DNA copy of the original RNA sequence, allowing for further genetic analysis and manipulation in various laboratory applications.