What process amplifies specific regions of DNA through multiple cycles of synthesis?

The process that amplifies specific regions of DNA through multiple cycles of synthesis is the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR is a technique widely used in molecular biology that allows scientists to make millions of copies of a particular DNA segment. This is achieved by repeatedly heating and cooling the DNA, which facilitates the denaturation of double-stranded DNA into single strands, annealing of primers to the target sequences, and extension by a DNA polymerase enzyme.

Each cycle of PCR exponentially increases the amount of target DNA, making it an invaluable tool for various applications, including genetic testing, forensic analysis, and cloning. The specificity of amplification comes from the use of primers that are designed to bind to specific sequences flanking the target DNA region, ensuring that only the desired segment is copied.

In contrast, DNA replication is a natural process that occurs in cells to duplicate the entire genome, not just specific regions. Gene cloning involves inserting a DNA fragment into a vector for propagation, which does not focus on the amplification of a specific region through cycles. Transcription, on the other hand, is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template, not amplifying DNA itself.