Question

Without Na+ or Mg2+ salts in the PCR reaction mixture, what component will be affected?

A. taq DNA polymerase
B. DNA nuclease
C. Ribosome
D. taq RNA polymerase

Answer 1

The absence of Mg2+ ions in the PCR reaction mixture affects Taq DNA polymerase, leading to the failure of the PCR process.

Step-by-step explanation:

Without Na+ or Mg2+ salts in the PCR reaction mixture, the component that will be affected is A. Taq DNA polymerase. Taq DNA polymerase requires Mg2+ ions as a cofactor for its activity during PCR. This enzyme is responsible for the synthesis of new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to the growing DNA chain during PCR. Without Mg2+ ions, the Taq DNA polymerase cannot function properly, resulting in the failure of the PCR reaction.