Which stage of PCR involves the addition of complementary bases by Taq polymerase?

The extension stage of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is where Taq polymerase adds complementary bases to the single-stranded DNA template. After the denaturation stage, where the DNA strands are separated, and the annealing stage, where primers bind to the specific regions of the template DNA, Taq polymerase extends the primers by adding nucleotides that are complementary to the template strand. This process results in the synthesis of new DNA strands. The Taq polymerase enzyme is particularly suited for this function because it can withstand the high temperatures used during the denaturation step of PCR. This stage is crucial for amplifying the specific DNA region of interest, making it essential for successful PCR.