PCR

• Denaturation: sample denatured through heating (95).

  • separates DNA strand -> break H Bonds
  • strands act as templates for new DNA strands
• Annealing?

  Sample cooled (50-60) -> allow primer to attach to target DNA sequence

  • temp lowered to allow H bonds to form between complementary N bases on DNA strands and primers
• Extension?

  heated (70) -> Taq polymerase can function at optimal

  • nucleotides added to hydroxyl groups on primers until template strands copied
• purpose?

  amplify amount of DNA sample by producing thousands of identical copies
• why is amplification of DNA useful when studying human evolution?

  Provides testable amounts of DNA/provides large amounts of DNA/magnifies the fossil quantities/most fossil DNA found in minute quantities