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Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a technique which is used to amplify a specific region of DNA or RNA, in order to produce enough of the genetic material to be adequately tested. PCR can characterize, analyze, and synthesize any specific piece of DNA or RNA.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Process

Process of PCR

• Step 1: Denaturing or separating the DNA into two single strands.
• Step 2:  Annealing is where one amplimer binds to the sense strand and the other binds to the antisense strand.
• Step 3: 3.Elongation is when the polymerase binds to the DNA and then creates 2 double-stranded copies of the target DNA.

* This completes the First Cycle (as seen in the above illustration). The two resulting DNA strands make up the template DNA for the next cycle, thus doubling the amount of DNA duplicated for each new cycle.