Final answer:
Changing the PCR reaction temperature from the intended 50 °C to 65 °C could result in inefficient primer binding leading to reduced amplification or a failed PCR. Temperature plays a crucial role in determining reaction rates and thermodynamic spontaneity, as it affects both kinetics and equilibrium constants.
Step-by-step explanation:
An error in the reaction temperature can have significant implications on a PCR reaction. If the annealing temperature is set too high, as in the scenario where 65 °C was used instead of the intended 50 °C, the primers may not bind efficiently to the template DNA, leading to reduced yield or failure of the amplification process. The thermodynamic spontaneity of a reaction is highly dependent on temperature, and changes could drastically alter the thermodynamics and kinetics of a reaction. As temperature increases, the -TΔS° term could dominate, which might cause a reaction to become non-spontaneous if its Keq becomes less than one.
Temperature also has a profound effect on the rates of chemical reactions. Typically, reactions occur faster at higher temperatures—something that is utilized in laboratory settings to accelerate slow reactions. In many processes, a 10 °C increase in temperature can double reaction rates. However, proper control of temperature is crucial, as in the case of the PCR reaction, where incorrect temperatures can lead to inefficient binding and therefore a failed experiment.