Question

what type of relationship exists between the threshold cycle and the amount of starting material?

Answer 1

Answer: The threshold cycle and the amount of starting material show the inversely related relationship. So we can say it as:

More threshold cycle(Ct value) requires less amount of starting material to reach the level of detection.

Explanation: This process is generally applicable when we are dealing with DNA sample and qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) technique.Ct value or threshold cycle is the cycle number which the florescent signal of reaction crosses.Both the values that is threshold cycle and Ct are inversely related means if Ct value is less it means that fewer PCR cycleis needed for the florescence signal to rise above the background. so we can say that as the amount of DNA template decreases the Ct vlue will increases. Smaller Ct value is better in case we are dealing with limited or precious sample for detection.
HIGH cycle threshold = LOW amount of starting material