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  4. Assertion: PCR primers must not have self complementary regions. Reason: Self complementary regions result in hairpin structures adversely affecting the PCR.

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Q. Assertion : $PCR$ primers must not have self complementary regions.
Reason : Self complementary regions result in hairpin structures adversely affecting the $PCR$.

Biotechnology : Principles and Processes

Solution:

Primers are nucleotide sequences that serve as base for formation of new $DNA$ strand. In $PCR$, primers are added on the ends of $DNA$ strand to be copied and the primers are extended towards each other so that the $DNA$ segment lying between the two primers is copied. If self complementary bases are present in primers than hydrogen bonds are formed between them and hairpin-like structure is formed. It makes the primers unsuitable for extension of strands in $PCR$.