Taq polymerase is commonly used in PCR reactions because it ____.
A) keeps the primers from annealing to the DNA
B) makes fewer DNA replication errors than other DNA polymerases
C) is a heat-stable DNA polymerase
D) is more efficient at replicating DNA than other DNA polymerases
E) helps the primers anneal to the correct DNA sequence

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Taq polymerase is used in PCR reactions primarily because it is heat-stable. This allows it to withstand the high temperatures used during the denaturation step of PCR, where the double-stranded DNA is separated into single strands, without denaturing itself. This characteristic is crucial for the PCR process, which involves repeated cycles of heating and cooling.

Taq Polymerase Is Commonly Used in PCR Reactions Because It