What would happen if you forgot to add primers to a PCR reaction?
Responses

The DNA polymerase would have no starting point to begin synthesis
The DNA polymerase would have no starting point to begin synthesis

Only one strand of DNA would be copied
Only one strand of DNA would be copied

The DNA would still be copied but more slowly
The DNA would still be copied but more slowly

The reaction would work normally

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
The DNA polymerase would have no starting point to begin synthesis.

PCR requires short primers to provide a free 3′-OH for DNA polymerase to extend. Without primers there is essentially no specific DNA synthesis (no exponential amplification).