Describe what would happen if the insect primers were not added to the positive control tube in our PCR activity. Assume that everything else was added, all reagents were intact and functional, and that all steps of the PCR thermocycling proceeded as expected.

Question

Question 25 options:

The Wolbachia PCR product would be amplified, but the insect PCR product would NOT be amplified.

Neither the Wolbachia nor the insect PCR product would be amplified.

The Wolbachia PCR product would NOT be amplified, but the insect PCR product would be amplified.

Both the Wolbachia and the insect PCR products would be amplified.

Answer 1

In the context of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), primers are essential as they serve as the starting point for DNA synthesis. If the insect primers were not added to the positive control tube in your PCR activity, the following outcomes could be expected based on the given options:

1. Wolbachia PCR product - This product would still be amplified because the necessary primers for amplifying Wolbachia DNA are intact and functioning.

2. Insect PCR product - The insect primers are essential for amplifying the DNA of the insect. Since they are not present in the tube, the PCR would not be able to initiate amplification of this specific target.

Given this reasoning, the correct answer is:

The Wolbachia PCR product would be amplified, but the insect PCR product would NOT be amplified.