Question

Which of the following is NOT a PCR based method?

• A. Selective Amplification of Microsatellite Polymorphic Loci (SAMPL)
• B. Sequence Tagged Site (STS) Amplification
• C. Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)
• D. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)

Hint:

• If amplification is involved → PCR-based
• If restriction digestion only → Not PCR-based (e.g., RFLP)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: PCR-based methods involve amplification of DNA using Polymerase Chain Reaction. Techniques that rely on DNA amplification are PCR-based, while those based on restriction enzyme digestion without amplification are not.
• PCR-based techniques: Use DNA amplification.
• Non-PCR techniques: Use restriction digestion, hybridization, etc.

Step 1: Analyzing each option.

• SAMPL: Uses selective PCR amplification → PCR-based.
• STS Amplification: Involves amplification of specific DNA sequences → PCR-based.
• RAPD: Uses random primers for DNA amplification → PCR-based.
• RFLP: Based on restriction enzyme digestion and fragment analysis, does not use PCR → Non-PCR method.

Step 2: Identifying the correct answer.
Only RFLP is not based on PCR.