Question

The enzyme used to synthesize daughter strands of DNA during PCR is called a ________.

Answer 1

Taq polymerase is the enzyme used during PCR to synthesize complementary daughter strands of DNA. It remains active at high temperatures, making it ideal for the cycles of heating and cooling in PCR.

Step-by-step explanation:

The enzyme used to synthesize daughter strands of DNA during PCR is called a Taq polymerase. This enzyme is particularly useful for PCR because it does not denature at high temperatures. Taq polymerase is derived from Thermus aquaticus, a bacterium that thrives in high-temperature environments such as hot springs. The optimum temperature for its activity is 72°C, though it remains active across a range of 22°C to 89°C. During PCR, heat is used to separate double-stranded DNA into single strands, followed by cooling to allow primers to anneal to the DNA template. The Taq polymerase then extends the primers, synthesizing new strands complementary to the DNA template.