What is PCR primarily used for in biotechnology?

The primary use of PCR, or Polymerase Chain Reaction, in biotechnology is to amplify a specific segment of DNA, effectively generating millions of copies from a small initial amount. This amplification process is crucial for various applications, such as cloning, gene expression analysis, and genetic testing, enabling scientists to obtain sufficient quantities of DNA for further research or experimentation.

The ability to exponentially increase the amount of DNA allows for detailed analysis and study of specific genes or DNA sequences, which is essential in fields like molecular biology, forensic science, and medical diagnostics. Other options, while related to DNA research, describe processes that do not define the core function of PCR. For instance, sequencing the entire genome requires different techniques and methodologies apart from PCR, and introducing mutations involves specific experimental designs rather than the amplification function of PCR. Lastly, visualizing DNA bands after gel electrophoresis is a separate technique used to analyze DNA but relies on the amplification of DNA, highlighting PCR’s supporting role rather than its primary function.