Question

In 1985, Kary Mullis developed a way to copy DNA without vectors or host cells. This technique is called

a) DNA sequencing
b) DNA replication
c) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
d) Gel electrophoresis

Answer 1

Kary Mullis developed the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in 1985, a method for rapidly amplifying specific DNA sequences without vectors or host cells, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993.

Step-by-step explanation:

In 1985, Kary Mullis developed the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a technique to copy DNA without the need for vectors or host cells. The correct answer to the question is: c) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). PCR is a groundbreaking method that allows for the rapid amplification of specific DNA sequences, enabling scientists to produce millions of copies of a particular piece of DNA in a short amount of time. This process has revolutionized molecular biology with its applications in areas such as research, forensic science, and clinical diagnostics. PCR involves repeated cycles of temperature changes to facilitate the denaturation of DNA, annealing of primers, and extension of the DNA strand by a DNA polymerase enzyme. The invention of PCR earned Kary Mullis the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993.