PCR vs. DNA Sequencing

DNA sequencing, the Sanger dideoxy method, is a technique based on DNA replication that uses dideoxy nucleoside triphosphates. The ddNTPS are dNTP whose deoxyribose sugar is missing -OH group on its 3' carbon. They are the chain terminators.

SIMILARITIES:
- Use electrophoresis
- Both methods use DNA polymerase

DIFFERENCES:
- DNA sequencing uses radioactively labelled primers, DNA polymerase, dNTPs, single stranded DNA template and most importantly ddNTPs
- DNA sequencing  uses a large sample of DNA sequence and replicates it
- PCR uses a small sample of DNA and amplifies it
- DNA sequencing maps specific nucleotides in a sequence wheras the main purpose of PCR is to produce large quantities of a specific DNA