polymerase chain reaction
What polymerase chain reaction means in Biology A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of polymerase chain reaction
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain polymerase chain reaction in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: AQA
The standard in vitro method, carried out in a thermal cycler with primers, free DNA nucleotides and a heat-stable DNA polymerase.
An in vitro method to amplify DNA fragments, copying one specific region of DNA in a thermal cycler.
Topics that use polymerase chain reaction
- Recombinant DNA technology (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- cDNA and reverse transcriptase
- complementary base pairing
- DNA ligase
- insertional inactivation
- post-translational modification
- primers
- promoter region
- restriction endonucleases
Using polymerase chain reaction in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
Practise Biology questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge