PCR Techniques in Microbiology

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Why is DNA preferred over RNA in most cases?

DNA is more stable when frozen in TE buffer (correct)

RNA degrades rapidly due to the presence of RNAse everywhere

DNA can be frozen directly without much degradation

RNA has a higher half-life at 37°C

What is the purpose of treating all reagents with DEPC in RNA analysis?

Inactivate enzymes (correct)

Promote RNAse activity

Enhance RNA stability

Prevent DNA degradation

In which type of microbial community would DNA analysis be more suitable?

Uncultured microorganisms

Complex microbial communities

Mixed community

Isolated microorganisms (correct)

What technique can be employed to identify genes conferring a specific process in microbial communities?

Metabolic fingerprinting Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of metagenomics in microbial ecology?

To analyze the gene content of a community of microorganisms Signup and view all the answers

Which technique is used to amplify small amounts of DNA from samples in microbial ecology?

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main disadvantage of metagenomics in microbial community analysis?

Contamination with humic substances Signup and view all the answers

Which step in PCR involves the separation of the DNA strands at high temperature?

Denaturation Signup and view all the answers

Which technique involves loading PCR products of mixed communities on a gel with a denaturant gradient?

Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main disadvantage of DGGE fingerprinting technique?

Highly toxic acrylamide gel Signup and view all the answers

Which type of RNA reveals which members of a community are metabolically active?

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of messenger RNA in protein synthesis?

Is translated into protein Signup and view all the answers

Which technique uses labeled probes to hybridize to target nucleic acids for detection?

FISH Signup and view all the answers

In DNA Microarray, what is the main purpose of detecting functional diversity in environments?

Detecting functional differences in microbial communities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in microbial ecology studies?

Identifies metabolically active members Signup and view all the answers

Which technique converts mRNA to cDNA for further analysis?

Community RNA Fingerprinting Signup and view all the answers

What type of genes does mRNA represent?

Expressed genes Signup and view all the answers

What is the main disadvantage of Hybridization-Based Assays?

Hazardous acrylamide gel Signup and view all the answers

What does Fluorescent in situ Hybridization utilize for targeting DNA or RNA?

Labeled probes Signup and view all the answers