What Are The Three Main Steps Of The PCR Process?

A single DNA sample is nearly impossible to study.

Large amounts of a sample of DNA are necessary for molecular and genetic analyses because it’s nearly impossible to study singular DNA. Sometimes called molecular photocopying, conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique used to amplify (replicate) trace amounts of DNA and RNA from a sample. A PCR thermal cycler is used to produce the large amounts required for research.

PCR prep

Before the PCR steps can begin, you need to collect your sample and prep for PCR. Here are four components (reagents or chemicals) are needed for the PCR process:

• A DNA or RNA sample (from saliva, blood, hair, skin scraping, etc.)
• DNA primers: short single-stranded DNA that promotes synthesis of a complementary strand of nucleotides
• DNA polymerase: an enzyme that aids in the synthesis of a complementary strand of DNA
• Nucleotide solution mix containing adenine (A), thymidine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G) used to build duplicate DNA strands

PCR steps

Step 1 – Denaturation

Step 2 – Annealing

Step 3 – Extension

Learn more. Read the entire article, PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Steps

View the PCR webinar, Amplify Your PCR Success

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