Final answer:
Taq polymerase is a thermostable enzyme well-suited for PCR because it can withstand high temperatures, allowing it to remain active throughout the PCR process unlike other DNA polymerases that denature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Taq polymerase is special because it is a thermostable enzyme that can withstand the high temperatures required during the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Unlike DNA polymerase I, which denatures at these high temperatures, Taq polymerase is derived from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus and remains active in a temperature range of 22°C to 89°C, with an optimum temperature of 72°C. This makes it ideal for the PCR process, which involves repetitive heating and cooling cycles to denature DNA, allow primer annealing, and elongate new DNA strands.