TAQ POLYMERASE Meaning and
Definition
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Taq polymerase is a highly specialized enzyme that plays a crucial role in a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR is a powerful laboratory technique used to amplify specific segments of DNA. Taq polymerase is derived from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus, which was first isolated from hot springs in Yellowstone National Park.
Taq polymerase is a DNA polymerase enzyme that is capable of withstanding and functioning at high temperatures, making it an essential component of PCR. It belongs to a class of enzymes known as thermostable DNA polymerases. This means that it remains stable and active even at the high temperatures required during the amplification steps of PCR.
The main function of Taq polymerase is to synthesize DNA strands by adding nucleotides to the growing DNA chain during PCR. It works by binding to a single-stranded DNA template and extending it in the presence of a primer that is complementary to the target DNA region of interest. By repeatedly heating and cooling the sample, the DNA strands are denatured and reannealed in each PCR cycle, while Taq polymerase continuously synthesizes new DNA strands.
Due to its heat resistance and robust activity, Taq polymerase has become an essential tool in molecular biology research, diagnostics, and forensics. Its efficient and reliable performance in PCR has revolutionized the field by allowing the rapid and accurate amplification of specific DNA sequences in a controlled laboratory environment.
Common Misspellings for TAQ POLYMERASE
- raq polymerase
- faq polymerase
- gaq polymerase
- yaq polymerase
- 6aq polymerase
- 5aq polymerase
- tzq polymerase
- tsq polymerase
- twq polymerase
- tqq polymerase
- ta1 polymerase
- ta2 polymerase
- taw polymerase
- taa polymerase
- taq oolymerase
- taq lolymerase
- taq -olymerase
- taq 0olymerase
- taq pilymerase
- taq pklymerase
Etymology of TAQ POLYMERASE
The word "Taq polymerase" comes from the combination of "Taq" and "polymerase".
"Polymerase" is derived from the Greek word "polymērēs", which means "having many parts" or "many-formed". In the context of biology, a polymerase is an enzyme responsible for synthesizing long chains of nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA.
"Taq" stands for "Thermus aquaticus", which is a thermophilic bacterium found in the hot springs of Yellowstone National Park. In the late 1960s, researchers discovered that this bacterium produces a particular DNA polymerase with the ability to withstand high temperatures. This heat-resistant enzyme became known as Taq polymerase. It revolutionized molecular biology by enabling the development of a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which allows for the amplification of specific DNA sequences.
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