Thermostable DNA Polymerase Enzyme
Definition
This is an enzyme that can withstand high temperatures and is used to amplify segments of DNA via polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Analogy
Imagine you're baking cookies in an oven. Most ingredients would melt or burn at high temperatures, but thermostable enzymes are like chocolate chips - they hold their shape even when things get hot!
Related terms
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): A method widely used in molecular biology to make several copies of a specific segment of DNA quickly and accurately.
Enzyme: Proteins that act as biological catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions within cells without being consumed in the process.
DNA Amplification: An increase in the number of copies of a specific region of DNA.
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