Final answer:
In PCR, the sequence of bases in the primers determines which segment of the genome will be amplified because primers provide the starting point for DNA synthesis and their sequence ensures the replication of the correct target DNA segment.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), the sequence of bases in the primers is important because it determines which segment of the genome will be amplified. Primers are short strands of DNA that are complementary to the sequence of the template DNA at both ends of the region of interest.
Their correct base sequence is crucial because they provide the starting point for DNA synthesis during the PCR process. During PCR, the denaturation step involves heating the DNA to separate the strands. The annealing step allows the primers to bind to complementary DNA sequences. Finally, during the extension step, a DNA polymerase enzyme synthesizes the new DNA strand starting from the primers.
The correct sequence of the primers ensures that the correct target DNA segment is replicated, not other sections of the DNA. This is because the primers target-specific areas based on their sequence complementarity.
Thus, the sequence of primers does not typically cause silent mutations, determine the number of tandem repeats, match stop codons, or determine the number of PCR cycles. These other choices are not directly related to the function and specificity provided by the primer sequences in the PCR process.