If the sequence of DNA in Question 12 were amplified using 25 PCR cycles, then the amount of this DNA would be predicted to increase by -fold.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the initial amount of DNA present before amplification.
2. Understand that each cycle of PCR ideally doubles the amount of DNA.
3. Calculate the total amplification after 25 cycles by using the formula for exponential growth: Final amount = Initial amount imes 2^{number of cycles}.
4. Substitute 25 for the number of cycles in the formula to find the fold increase.
5. Interpret the result as the fold increase in the amount of DNA after 25 PCR cycles.

Key Concepts

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

PCR is a molecular biology technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences. It involves repeated cycles of denaturation, annealing, and extension, allowing for exponential replication of the target DNA. Each cycle theoretically doubles the amount of DNA, making it a powerful tool for genetic analysis and research.

Exponential Growth in PCR

In PCR, the amount of DNA increases exponentially with each cycle. After n cycles, the amount of DNA can be calculated using the formula 2^n, where n is the number of cycles. Therefore, with 25 cycles, the DNA amount would increase by 2^25, illustrating the rapid amplification capability of this technique.

Cycle Threshold (Ct) and Efficiency

The cycle threshold (Ct) is the number of cycles required for the fluorescent signal to exceed the background level in quantitative PCR. The efficiency of PCR can affect the expected yield; ideally, each cycle should double the DNA, but inefficiencies can lead to lower than expected amplification. Understanding these factors is crucial for accurate predictions of DNA yield.