polymerase chain reaction: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	DNA amplification • PCR

Photos and Videos

A diagram illustrates the three-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process: Step 1 shows DNA denaturing at 95 degreesC into two strands; Step 2 depicts primers binding to target sequences during annealing at 55 degreesC; Step 3 shows DNA polymerase (Taq) synthesizing new DNA at 72 degreesC, resulting in DNA amplification, with the cycle repeated multiple times.

How the DNA Thermal Cycler Uses PCR to Copy DNA Strands

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

DNA preimplantation genetic diagnosis DNA fingerprinting genetics genetic testing human genetics eugenics genetic epidemiology genomics epigenomics behaviour genetics epigenetics cytogenetics complementation test one gene–one enzyme hypothesis

Key People

Kary B. Mullis

Kary Mullis

American biochemist

Illustrated strands of DNA. Deoxyribonucleic acid, biology.

Genetics Quiz

DNA helix in a futuristic concept of the evolution of science and medicine.

Branches of Genetics

greylag. Flock of Greylag geese during their winter migration at Bosque del Apache National Refugee, New Mexico. greylag goose (Anser anser)

Biology Bonanza