Which enzymes are primarily used to amplify DNA during PCR?

DNA polymerase is the key enzyme used to amplify DNA during the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This enzyme is responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to a template strand. During PCR, DNA polymerase facilitates the replication of the DNA by extending the primers that bind to the target DNA sequence. It works optimally at high temperatures, which is critical during the denaturation phase of PCR where the double-stranded DNA is heated to separate the strands.

The function of DNA polymerase is crucial because it not only adds nucleotides but also ensures fidelity in synthesis by proofreading and correcting errors in the newly synthesized DNA. This leads to the production of multiple copies of the specific DNA segment targeted in the PCR process, allowing for significant amplification from a minimal amount of initial template DNA.

Other enzymes mentioned, such as restriction enzymes, are used for cutting DNA at specific sequences and are not involved in amplification. Ligases are enzymes that join two pieces of DNA together, playing a role in DNA replication and repair rather than amplification. Exonucleases degrade nucleic acids by removing nucleotides from the end of a DNA molecule, which is contrary to the goal of amplification. Hence, DNA polymerase stands out as the essential enzyme for