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Polymerase Chain Reaction - PCR definitions

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  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
    A laboratory technique enabling exponential amplification of specific DNA sequences through repeated thermal cycling.
  • Amplification
    The process of generating billions of identical DNA copies from a small initial sample for analysis or diagnostics.
  • Thermal Cycling
    A sequence of temperature changes repeated multiple times to facilitate DNA denaturation, primer binding, and synthesis.
  • Denaturation
    The high-temperature step, typically at 95°C, where double-stranded DNA separates into single strands.
  • Annealing
    The cooling phase, usually 55–70°C, allowing primers to attach to complementary DNA sequences.
  • Extension
    The moderate-temperature phase where DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands from primers.
  • Primer
    A short nucleotide sequence designed to bind specific DNA regions, marking start and stop sites for replication.
  • DNA Polymerase
    An enzyme stable at elevated temperatures, responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands during PCR.
  • qPCR
    A quantitative technique measuring the exact amount of DNA present in a sample using fluorescent dyes.
  • RT-PCR
    A variant of PCR starting with RNA, converting it to DNA before amplification, useful for gene expression studies.
  • Hydrogen Bonds
    Weak interactions between DNA strands disrupted during denaturation to allow strand separation.
  • Replication Cycle
    A single sequence of denaturation, annealing, and extension steps, repeated 25–40 times in PCR.
  • Forensics
    An application area where amplified DNA is used to identify individuals or analyze crime scene evidence.
  • Diagnostics
    The use of amplified DNA to detect the presence of specific genetic material associated with diseases.
  • Template DNA
    The original DNA fragment targeted for amplification, serving as the pattern for new strand synthesis.