The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method used to rapidly amplify a specific region of DNA through repeated cycles of heating and cooling. It allows for the analysis and replication of short DNA or RNA sequences and is faster than using vectors, requiring only a small amount of target DNA. While useful for medical research, cloning, and forensic analysis, it is limited to short fragments under 5kb and requires prior knowledge of flanking sequences to design primers.

1. Polymerase Chain Reaction
By Whitney Housley

2. Definition-
• The polymerase chain reaction aka PCR is a
method used to analyze a short sequence of
DNA or RNA, it is used to reproduce selected
sections or DNA or RNA

3. Steps

4. Advantages
• Much faster than using vectors
• Only a little bit of target DNA is needed

5. Disadvantages
• Are to synthesize primers, we need to know
the sequence flanking the DNA segment of
interest
• Only applies to short DNA fragments, mostly
less than 5 kb

6. What is it used for?
• Medical and biological research
• Cloning
• Diagnosis of hereditary diseases
• Identification of fingerprints
• Forensic sciences
• Paternity testing
• Diagnosis of infectious diseases

7. Cited Sources
• Mrs. Scherman’s Honors Biology Class Notes
• <http://www.open-access-
biology.com/pcr/pcr-boulter.html>.
• <http://www.medicinenet.com/pcr_polymera
se_chain_reaction/article.htm>.