Final answer:
The device used for PCR is a thermocycler, which precisely manages temperature cycles essential for amplifying specific DNA segments in the PCR process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The device used for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a thermocycler. PCR is a method employed to make many copies of a specific DNA segment. During this process, the DNA sequence of interest is repeatedly heated and cooled to allow for the denaturation of the DNA, annealing of primers, and extension of the new DNA strands by enzymes like Taq polymerase, which is notably derived from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus found in hot springs like those of Yellowstone National Park. The thermocycler precisely controls the temperature cycles necessary for PCR, making it a critical tool for tasks such as cloning, gene expression analysis, genotyping, sequencing, and mutation detection.