Question

The most commonly used DNA polymerase, ________, is isolated from Thermus aquaticus, which occurs naturally in hot springs.

a) DNA polymerase I (Pol I)
b) DNA polymerase II (Pol II)
c) DNA polymerase III (Pol III)
d) DNA polymerase IV (Pol IV)

Answer 1

The most commonly used DNA polymerase in PCR is Taq polymerase, isolated from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus, known for its ability to withstand high temperatures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most commonly used DNA polymerase is Taq polymerase, which is isolated from Thermus aquaticus, a thermophilic bacterium that occurs naturally in the hot springs of Yellowstone National Park. Taq polymerase is preferred in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) due to its thermostability, which allows it to withstand the high temperatures necessary to denature DNA without being inactivated. This characteristic is critical for PCR, as it eliminates the need to add new DNA polymerase after each cycle of denaturation and annealing, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.