All About PCR - Beta

DNA replication

The natural process in which a cell copies its DNA before cell division.

DNA polymerase

An enzyme that adds new nucleotides to an existing strand of DNA during replication.

Primase

An enzyme that synthesizes an RNA primer to initiate DNA replication.

Primers

Short sequences of nucleotides that provide a starting point for DNA synthesis in PCR.

RT-PCR

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; a method to amplify RNA by converting it to DNA.

Exponential growth

A process where the quantity increases at a rate proportional to its current value, such as in PCR where two primers double the DNA copies with each cycle.

Taq polymerase

A heat-tolerant enzyme used in PCR, derived from the bacteria Thermus aquaticus.

Chain reaction

The exponential increase in the number of DNA copies produced in PCR.

Amplification

The process of creating multiple copies of a specific DNA sequence.

Forensic analysis

The application of scientific methods and techniques to investigate crimes, often using DNA evidence.