Question

I. PCR requires prior knowledge of at least part of the sequence of the target DNA so that primers can be constructed.
II. The technique of PCR was developed by Alec Jeffreys.

• A. Both I and II are true
• B. I is true and II is false
• C. I is false and II is true
• D. Both I and II are false

Answer 1

The correct option is B I is true and II is false

PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. It is a technique used to amplify DNA.

In this reaction, multiple copies of DNA can be synthesised in vitro.

This process uses two sets of primers which are chemically synthesised oligonucleotides that are complementary to certain regions of DNA which have to be amplified. Therefore, synthesis of primers requires the knowledge of at least part of the sequence of the target gene. Hence, statement I is true.

The technique of PCR was developed by Kary Mullis for which he was awarded the Nobel prize. Therefore, statement II is false.

Alec Jeffreys invented the technique of DNA fingerprinting.