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AAT Bioquest

What are the similarities between PCR and DNA replication?

Posted March 11, 2022


Answer

There are several similarities between PCR and DNA replication:

  • Both are processes of DNA synthesis
  • Both are polymerizing chain reactions that proceed in the 5′ to 3′ direction in each strand
  • In both processes, double-stranded DNA is separated from each other
  • DNA is copied in both processes
  • In both processes, existing DNA is used as the template for the synthesis of new DNA
  • In both processes, DNA polymerizing enzymes add complementary bases to the growing strand
  • Both processes also use primers, which are short oligonucleotide fragments complementary to DNA
  • Primers are responsible for initiating DNA synthesis in both processes
  • Both processes use deoxyribose nucleotides as substrates
Additional resources

Replication of DNA Containing Mirror-Image Thymidine in E. coli Cells

PCR Detection of Viral DNA/RNA

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