The correct answer is: (A) DNA amplification.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a widely used laboratory technique in molecular biology that allows the amplification of a specific segment of DNA. It was developed by Kary Mullis in 1983 and has since revolutionized genetic research, diagnostics, and forensic science.
In PCR, a small amount of DNA is used as a template to create millions of copies of a specific DNA sequence. This is achieved through a series of temperature-controlled cycles, involving denaturation (separating the DNA strands), annealing (binding primers to the DNA template), and extension (synthesizing new DNA strands). The result is a large quantity of the target DNA, which can be analyzed or used in further applications.
Applications of PCR include DNA fingerprinting, genetic testing, cloning, diagnosing diseases, and studying genetic mutations. It is an essential tool in modern biotechnology and molecular biology.