Question

Which of the following would not be detectable in a simple PCR reaction using two primers and no other treatment of the PCR product?

A. Deletion
B. Insertion
C. Inversion
D. Translocation
E. Single nucleotide polymorphism

Answer 1

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) would not be detectable in a simple PCR reaction using two primers because it does not change the size of the PCR product, making it undetectable on a gel without further analysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The detection of different types of mutations via a simple PCR reaction using two primers depends on the PCR product's size change. Insertions and deletions can generally be detected because they change the length of DNA between the primers, and this change can be visualized on a gel after the PCR is run. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), however, may not lead to a size difference detectable on a gel, especially if there is no restriction site change that can be probed with RFLP. Translocations and inversions wouldn't alter the length of the amplified product either, provided the primer binding sites have not been disrupted. Therefore, out of the options provided, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) would not be detectable in a simple PCR reaction using two primers without any further treatment or additional techniques such as sequencing.