What is the Difference Between Taq Polymerase and DNA Polymerase?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between Taq polymerase and DNA polymerase lies in their thermal stability and the environments in which they function. Here are the key differences:
- Thermal Stability: Taq polymerase is a thermostable DNA polymerase, meaning it can tolerate higher temperatures without denaturing, whereas DNA polymerase denatures at high temperatures.
- Origin: Taq polymerase is extracted from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus, which lives in hot springs and geysers. DNA polymerase is found in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, including humans.
- Optimal Temperature: Taq polymerase has an optimal temperature of 72°C, while DNA polymerase has an optimal temperature of 37°C.
- Processivity: Taq polymerase can add 2–4 kilobases per minute, while DNA polymerase can add 15-20 nucleotides per second.
- Application: Taq polymerase is primarily used in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique for DNA amplification. DNA polymerase is involved in DNA replication, gene cloning, PCR, DNA sequencing, SNP detection, and molecular diagnostics.
In summary, Taq polymerase is a thermostable DNA polymerase derived from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus, which is used in PCR for DNA amplification. In contrast, DNA polymerase is an enzyme that facilitates DNA replication and is found in various organisms, including humans, and is involved in multiple applications, such as gene cloning and DNA sequencing.
Comparative Table: Taq Polymerase vs DNA Polymerase
The main difference between Taq polymerase and DNA polymerase lies in their ability to withstand high temperatures. Here is a comparison table highlighting the key differences between the two:
| Feature | Taq Polymerase | DNA Polymerase |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Thermus aquaticus, a thermophilic eubacterial microbe | Various sources, including E. coli |
| Thermostability | Can tolerate high temperatures without denaturing | Degrades at protein denaturing high temperatures |
| Application | Typically used in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) | Used in various molecular biology techniques |
| Optimum Temperature | 72°C | Varies depending on the source, but typically lower than Taq polymerase's optimum temperature |
Taq polymerase is a thermostable DNA polymerase I, named after the Thermus aquaticus bacteria from which it is derived. It is commonly used in PCR due to its ability to withstand the high temperatures required during the denaturation step of the process. In contrast, DNA polymerase is less heat-tolerant and is used in a variety of molecular biology techniques other than PCR.
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