PCR

PCR, or Polymerase Chain Reaction, is a powerful molecular biology technique widely used in laboratories to amplify and analyze DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) segments. PCR allows scientists to replicate and study specific DNA sequences, enabling a wide range of applications in genetics, genomics, forensics, and diagnostic testing.
The PCR process involves repeatedly heating and cooling a reaction mixture containing DNA, primers (short DNA sequences that initiate replication), and a heat-stable DNA polymerase enzyme. This cycle of denaturation (separating DNA strands), annealing (binding primers to the target DNA), and extension (DNA synthesis) doubles the amount of the target DNA in each cycle. After multiple cycles, millions of copies of the desired DNA segment can be obtained from a single starting molecule.