Two primers are used in a standard Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
PCR relies on the use of specifically designed primers to amplify a target DNA sequence. These primers are short, single-stranded DNA molecules, typically 18-25 base pairs long, that are complementary to the sequences flanking the region of DNA you want to amplify.
Here's a breakdown:
- Forward Primer: This primer binds to the start of the target sequence on one strand of the DNA. It's oriented so that DNA polymerase can extend it towards the other primer.
- Reverse Primer: This primer binds to the end of the target sequence on the opposite strand of the DNA. It's oriented so that DNA polymerase can extend it back towards the forward primer.
The two primers define the boundaries of the DNA region that will be amplified during the PCR process. They ensure that only the desired target sequence is copied, resulting in millions or billions of copies of that specific DNA segment.
