What does PCR stand for in biotechnology?

PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction, which is a widely used technique in molecular biology and biotechnology. This method allows researchers to amplify specific sequences of DNA, making millions of copies of a particular DNA segment.

The process begins with the denaturation of the DNA, where the two strands are separated by heating. This is followed by annealing, wherein short DNA primers bind to the specific target sequences on the single-stranded DNA. Finally, during the extension phase, a heat-stable DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to the primers. This cycle of denaturation, annealing, and extension is repeated multiple times, leading to exponential amplification of the target DNA sequence.

The significance of PCR lies in its ability to facilitate various applications, such as genetic testing, forensic analysis, cloning, and the detection of pathogens, making it an essential tool in the field of biotechnology.