Another application of PCR is to determine whether or not a particular gene in e

Question

Another application of PCR is to determine whether or not a particular gene in expressed. DNA is housed in the nucleus of cells and certain genes can get activated in response to environmental stimuli. When a gene in activated, it is transcribed (RNA is produced). In the case of protein-coding genes, after transcription of the gene (production of mRNA), translation often occurs resulting in the production of a particular protein. To determine if a particular gene has been expressed, all RNA from a cell sample is collected and complimentary DNA (cDNA) is created by incubating the RNA with reverse transcriptase. Primers are then designed for the gene of interest. Can a researcher just collect all of the DNA in a cell sample and use it instead? Yes, the outcome will be identical. Yes, but several genes may get amplified at once No, PCR does not work with DNA as a starting material. No, it will not answer the question of whether a particular gene has been activated and transcribed but will instead amplify genomic DNA.

Explanation / Answer

Yes, The outcome will be identical, and PCR can work with DNA as starting material. in fact collecting RNA and reverting it back to DNA will be time-consuming. instead, collecting DNA is sufficient, but while amplification, introns will also get amplified, which is not coded into protein.

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