Final answer:
b) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is the biotechnology process used to produce millions of copies of a DNA sequence in a test tube, involving three main steps: denaturing, annealing, and extension, and is widely used in various scientific fields.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
The technology used to produce millions of copies of a DNA sequence in a test tube is called b) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). PCR is a pivotal biotechnology process that allows for the amplification of a specific DNA segment. It is executed in three main steps: denaturing, annealing, and extension.
First, the DNA double helix is separated into single strands through denaturing. Then, during annealing, primers that are complementary to the target DNA sequence are attached to the single strands.
Finally, in the extension step, a special DNA polymerase synthesizes a new DNA strand complementary to the DNA template strand.
These steps are repeated multiple times, resulting in millions of copies of the desired DNA fragment. PCR has numerous applications in research, forensics, medical diagnostics, and more, making it an essential technique in modern molecular biology.