1. V IRAL Q UEST Lesson 8: Reverse Transcription

2. Reverse Transcription  Reverse Transcription converts RNA into complementary DNA.  This DNA strand can then be used in PCR.

3. Today’s Task  Correctly identify and order the stages of Reverse Transcription.  You will be making predictions about the order of the stages of Reverse Transcription.  After you order the stages according to your predictions, your teacher will present the stages for any clarification.

4. Stage 1: Many substances are needed to reverse transcribe mRNA into DNA. mRNA is combined with nucleotide mixtures, DNA primers, and the enzyme Reverse Transcriptase. Taq DNA Polymerase is added to prepare the sample for later PCR performance.

5. Stage 2: Temperature is a catalyst for many reactions. Incubation allows the annealing process to occur.

6. Stage 3: A new DNA strand is built from the mRNA code. Only DNA, not RNA, can be amplified during PCR.

7. Stage 4: Increasing temperatures continue to catalyze the reaction. Heating allows DNA primers to bind to the complementary DNA(cDNA) strand.

8. Stage 5: DNA is a double-stranded molecule that has been reverse transcribed from the original RNA template.

9. Stage 6: A large quantity of DNA is needed to be detectable by modern technology. Once Reverse Transcription occurs, cDNA has been produced. This cDNA can now be used in PCR.