ERIC Number: EJ997044
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Apr
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0002-7685
EISSN: N/A
Determining Annealing Temperatures for Polymerase Chain Reaction
Porta, Angela R.; Enners, Edward
American Biology Teacher, v74 n4 p256-260 Apr 2012
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a common technique used in high school and undergraduate science teaching. Students often do not fully comprehend the underlying principles of the technique and how optimization of the protocol affects the outcome and analysis. In this molecular biology laboratory, students learn the steps of PCR with an emphasis on primer composition and annealing temperature, which they manipulate to test the effect on successful DNA amplification. Students design experiments to test their hypotheses, promoting a discovery-based approach to laboratory teaching and development of critical-thinking and reasoning skills.
Descriptors: Molecular Biology, Science Laboratories, Science Instruction, High Schools, Secondary School Science, College Science, Undergraduate Study, Scientific Principles, Science Experiments, Hypothesis Testing, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills
University of California Press. 2000 Center Street Suite 303, Berkeley, CA 94704. Tel: 510-643-7154; Fax: 510-642-9917; e-mail: customerservice@ucpressjournals.com; Web site: http://www.ucpressjournals.com/journal.php?j=abt
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A