Which of the following is often used in biotechnology to make copies of DNA?

Kary Mullis devised the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique in 1983. It enables scientists to create millions of copies of a specific DNA region in just a few hours. Consider it a DNA photocopier: starting with a small amount, PCR can amplify a DNA sequence enough to be analyzed, tested, or used in studies.

PCR is used in many fields beyond traditional biology. For example, it's essential in COVID-19 testing, forensics (like identifying suspects from hair or blood), and even in ancestry tests you see advertised online. It works by cycling through different temperatures to help DNA unwind, copy, and rebuild using a special enzyme called Taq polymerase, which comes from bacteria that live in hot springs.

According to the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), PCR has become one of the most widely used techniques in molecular biology due to its speed, accuracy, and versatility.