How is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) helpful in the process of genetic testing?
A)Preserving genetic material within a sample so that more sophisticated tests can be performed as they become available with future technologic advancements
B)Separating exons from introns and establishing which DNA strand is the "sense" strand
C)Determining whether a small amount of DNA is paternal or maternal in origin
D)Increasing the amount of DNA being tested, thus promoting accuracy

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The polymerase chain reaction precisely expands or amplifies a specific segment DNA so that more of it is available for testing. PCR itself does not test the DNA directly for anything, cannot itself determine whether DNA or a gene is paternal or maternal, and does not preserve specimens. However, because of amplification, PCR can help ensure that enough DNA is present to reliably perform an accurate analysis. This amplification may allow more of a specimen to be preserved but does not actually preserve the specimen.

How Is the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Helpful in the Process