Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) can be used to:
(A) Detect HIV in AIDS patients
(B) Detect mutations in cancer patients
(C) Observe antibody antigen reaction
(D) Identify some of the genetic disorders
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (B) and (D) only
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) makes millions of copies of a chosen piece of DNA. So it can find a gene or a pathogen even when very little of its nucleic acid is present.
(A) Detect HIV in AIDS patients Correct. PCR amplifies the nucleic acid of the virus, so HIV can be found even before the symptoms appear.
(B) Detect mutations in cancer patients Correct. PCR copies the genes of a suspected cancer patient, so that changes in their DNA sequence can be found.
(C) Observe antibody antigen reaction Incorrect. PCR works on DNA, not on proteins. The test based on antigen-antibody interaction is ELISA.
(D) Identify some of the genetic disorders Correct. A genetic disorder is due to a faulty gene. PCR amplifies that gene so that the fault can be detected.
NCERT Extract:
Molecular Diagnosis – …
