Final answer:
PCR allows one to assess the amount of DNA produced during a PCR amplification as it is happening.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is True. PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, is a technique used to amplify specific regions of DNA. During PCR amplification, the amount of DNA produced can be assessed as it is happening. This is because PCR uses a process of cycling through different temperature stages which allows for the exponential replication of DNA molecules. The amplified DNA products can be visualized using techniques such as gel electrophoresis or fluorescent staining on an agarose gel.
PCR can isolate a particular DNA segment for copying, allowing for the production of millions of copies in a short amount of time, thereby purifying the DNA. It can work with very small initial amounts of DNA and the DNA fragments amplified through PCR can be easily visualized, for example on an agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. Applications of PCR include gene structure research, forensics, medical diagnostics, and more. It was developed by Kary B. Mullis, who received a Nobel Prize for this work in 1993.