Primer serves as a preparatory coating applied to surfaces before painting and as a short segment of nucleic acid used to initiate DNA synthesis in molecular biology[1][2][5].
In painting and construction:
- Primer paint is used before applying a topcoat of paint to create a smooth, uniform surface, help paint adhere better, improve durability, and block stains or color transitions[2][3][6].
- It is particularly important for porous or repaired surfaces, material transitions (e.g., wood to drywall), or when covering stains and dark colors[3].
- Common types of primers include oil-based, water-based (latex), and shellac, each specialized for different surfaces and requirements:
- Oil-based primers are best for wood, stain blocking, and outdoor durability[2][4].
- Latex or water-based primers are preferred for indoor use and easy cleanup[2][4].
- Shellac primers excel at sealing stains and odors, and dry quickly[2][4].
In molecular biology:
- A primer is a short, single-stranded sequence of DNA (or RNA) that serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis during procedures such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing[1][5].
- Primers bind to a specific region of the template DNA, allowing the enzyme DNA polymerase to begin adding nucleotides and synthesizing new DNA[1][5].
References
- [1] Definition, Types, Primer Design Online Tools, Uses – Microbe Notes
- [2] What Primer Should I Use? A Guide to Choosing the Right Primer
- [3] What is Primer Paint, and why it is used? – PropChk
- [4] Types of Paint Primer – Hillis Brothers Painting
- [5] Primer – National Human Genome Research Institute
- [6] Which Primer Should I Use? – Mrs Ashley French