Question

Taq polymerase is a ________________________ polymerase.

(a) heat-stable

(b) buffering

(c) denaturant

(d) large

This question was posed to me during an internship interview.

I need to ask this question from Techniques topic in division Techniques in Cell Biology of Cell Biology

Answer 1

Taq polymerase is a heat-stable polymerase.

Taq polymerase is an enzyme commonly used in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) due to its ability to withstand the high temperatures required for the denaturation step of PCR. It is derived from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus, which thrives in hot springs, making it naturally heat-stable and able to function at the high temperatures used in PCR.

Here’s a breakdown of the options:

• (a) Heat-stable: Correct. Taq polymerase is heat-stable, which is why it remains active during the high-temperature denaturation step of PCR.
• (b) Buffering: Taq polymerase itself is not specifically a buffering polymerase. Buffers are used in the reaction mixture to maintain the pH, but this term is not applicable to Taq polymerase.
• (c) Denaturant: Taq polymerase is not a denaturant. Denaturants are chemicals used to separate DNA strands, not enzymes.
• (d) Large: Taq polymerase is not particularly large compared to other enzymes used in PCR, so this is not the correct classification.

Correct Answer: (a) Heat-stable