Which type of control contains DNA that lacks the target sequence?

The type of control that contains DNA lacking the target sequence is known as a negative template control. This control is significant in molecular biology experiments, particularly in PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplification, as it helps to ensure the specificity of the reaction. By using a template that does not have the target sequence, researchers can assess whether any amplification occurs due to contamination or non-specific reactions, which would indicate a problem with the experimental setup.

In contrast, a negative control generally refers to a sample that does not contain the target analyte but may still contain the same components as the experimental reaction, ensuring that overall conditions are appropriate without specifically addressing the DNA target. A positive control involves a sample that is known to contain the target sequence, confirming that the experimental system is functioning correctly. Contamination control is focused on preventing and detecting contamination in the samples but does not specifically indicate the presence or absence of the target sequence.

The negative template control specifically isolates the impact of the absence of the target DNA in order to validate that any observed results in other samples are indeed due to the presence of the target sequence.