Causative agents of HIV-AIDS and COVID 19 belong to the same group of viruses. To diagnose and amplify the genetic material for further study of COVID 19 virus, ‘RT-PCR’ test is carried out.

(a) What does RT-PCR stands for?
(b) Explain the various steps of PCR technique.

(a) Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
(b) PCR is based on three simple steps required for any DNA synthesis reaction: (1) denaturation of the template into single strands; (2) annealing of primers to each original strand for new strand synthesis; and (3) extension of the new DNA strands from the primers.