LOCSON, Jan Nheille D.

BMLS 3 – Cystine B MOLBIO

Activity 5 – PCR (45 points)

1. What are the 4 major components of PCR Master Mixes? Give their functions. (10 points)

A type of thermostable DNA polymerase that can amplify or synthesize DNA

Taq DNA polymerase
Deoxyribonucleotide
triphosphates (dNTPs)
MgCl2
PCR reaction buffer
or gene
Expand the growing DNA strand with the aid of Taq DNA polymerase and
binds with the complementary DNA strand by hydrogen bonds
A cofactor that enhances the activity of Taq DNA polymerase, which in turn
increases the amplification rate of DNA
Different PCR enhancers that increase the efficiency and the specificity of
the PCR reaction and provides a suitable chemical environment for
activity of DNA polymerase

2. Define the following: (15 points)

A test used to diagnose people who are currently infected with

SARS-COV-2 PCR
SARS-COV-2 Rapid Antigen Test
SARS-COV-2 Rapid Antibody Test
SARS-CoV-2
A test used to detect bits of proteins on the surface of the virus
called antigens
A test used to detect if you’ve had an immune response to the virus

3. Which is more accurate, SARS-COV-2 PCR or SARS-COV-2 Rapid Antigen Test? Explain. (10 points)
 The PCR test is considered as the “gold standard” test for diagnosing COVID-19, because it’s the most
accurate and reliable test. The test is able to detect very small amounts of virus material, it can continue
to detect fragments of SARS-CoV-2 virus even after you’ve recovered from COVID-19 and are no longer
contagious.
4. List the approved COVID-19 Test Kits that are used the Philippines. (10 points)
Currently, there are 75 FDA-approved test kits (as of February 18, 2021) that are used in the Philippines and
here are some of them:
 Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2  Biocredit Covid-19 Ag
 STANDARDTM Q COVID-19 Ag TEST  GenBody COVID-19 Ag
 Sofia 2 SARS Antigen FIA  NADAL COVID-19 Ag Test
 ichroma COVID-19 Ag  SGTi-flex COVID-19 Ag
 AFIAS COVID-19 Ag  Humasis COVID-19 Ag Test
 StandardTM F COVID-19 Ag FIA  GENEDIA W COVID-19 AG
 Dynamiker SARS-CoV-2 Ag Rapid Test  Cellex qSARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test
 QuickVue SARS Antigen Test  OnSite® COVID-19 Ag Point of care test
 FORA COVID-19 ANTIGEN RAPID TEST  Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device
 PreciControl SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Material  VivaDiagTM PRO SARS-CoV-2 Ag Rapid Test
 ORIGHT COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Cassette  SAVANTTM SARS-CoV-2 N Protein Detection Kit
 CareStart COVID-19 Antigen test  QuickProfileTM COVID-19 Antigen Test
 NowCheck COVID-19 Antigen test  BD Veritor System for Detection of SARS-CoV-2