What temperature is typically used to allow Taq polymerase to synthesize new strands of DNA?

Taq polymerase is an enzyme commonly used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process for DNA amplification. It is derived from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus, which allows it to withstand the high temperatures necessary during PCR without denaturing.

The optimal temperature for Taq polymerase to synthesize new strands of DNA is typically around 72 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the enzyme exhibits optimal activity and efficiency in synthesizing DNA, as it is able to effectively add nucleotides to the growing DNA strand, maximizing the yield of the reaction.

Setting the temperature higher or lower than the optimal range can negatively affect the efficiency of the DNA synthesis. For instance, temperatures below 70 degrees Celsius may not provide sufficient activity for the polymerase, while temperatures significantly above 75 degrees Celsius could lead to the denaturation of the enzyme, limiting its effectiveness. Thus, 72 degrees Celsius is the standard temperature for the extension phase of PCR, facilitating the synthesis of new DNA strands.