Question

What is the application of PCR in the detection of hereditary diseases?

Answer 1

PCR, or Polymerase Chain Reaction, is a molecular biology technique for making many copies of a DNA sequence. Kary Mullis, an American biochemist, invented this approach. A tiny section of DNA may now be copied millions of times thanks to PCR. This instrument is frequently used in molecular biology and biotechnology laboratories.
The PCR method is based on the replication of DNA by enzymes. In PCR, primer-mediated enzymes are used to amplify a small piece of DNA. DNA Polymerase builds new DNA strands that are complementary to the template DNA. The DNA polymerase can only add a nucleotide to a 3'-OH group that already exists. As a result, a primer is necessary

Complete answer:
Detecting genetic disorders using a genome is a time-consuming and difficult process that might be significantly expedited with the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Each of the genes taken up can be simply amplified using the PCR technique with appropriate primers and then sequenced for mutation identification. Viral illnesses can be discovered using the PCR technique, which involves amplification of viral DNA. Such an examination could take place after an infection, which could be days or months before the onset of symptoms. This type of early diagnosis gives doctors a lot of information.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a fast method for increasing the number of copies of a distinct DNA or RNA sequence by a factor of ten. The approach is being used to diagnose and test carriers for a variety of hereditary illnesses during pregnancy. Following PCR, single-gene abnormalities can be discovered using a variety of techniques, including endonuclease digestion and gel electrophoresis, as well as hybridization to a mutation-specific oligonucleotide probe. To quickly discover a mutation, gene sequencing of a PCR result is utilised less frequently.

Note:
Components of PCR-
Taq Polymerase is employed as a DNA polymerase. It's thermostable, meaning it won't denature even at extremely high temperatures.
Oligonucleotide Primers are single-stranded DNA segments that are complementary to the 3' ends of the sense and antisense strands.
Deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate– These are the building blocks of DNA synthesis and provide energy for polymerization. These are single base units.
Magnesium and potassium in the buffer system create ideal conditions for DNA denaturation and renaturation. Fidelity, polymerase activity, and stability are all dependent on it.