You may know that scientists are able to synthesize new strands of DNA through a process known as PCR, which utilizes a DNA polymerase derived from bacteria. By repeatedly heating the reaction products to 70°C, researchers can create new DNA from a template DNA strand. What does this tell you about bacteria compared to archaeons?
A)that some bacteria can survive at higher temperatures compared to archaeons
B)that some bacteria can survive at high temperatures, although archaeons can survive in much hotter environments
C)that archaeons prefer colder environments compared to bacteria
D)that bacteria and archaeons can likely both survive at temperatures of 122°C

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

PCR relies on a DNA polymerase enzyme that can withstand the high temperatures used during the process. This polymerase is derived from bacteria that are adapted to survive in high-temperature environments, such as hot springs. While some archaeons can survive at even higher temperatures than these bacteria, the fact that the polymerase used in PCR is derived from bacteria suggests that bacteria have some ability to survive at high temperatures. Therefore, option B is the best choice.

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