At what temperature does DNA denaturing occur during PCR?

During the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), DNA denaturing occurs at a temperature of approximately 94 degrees Celsius. This step is critical to the PCR process as it involves the separation of the double-stranded DNA into two single strands. The high temperature provides enough energy to break the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs, effectively unraveling the DNA helix.

Each component of PCR has a specific temperature range that is optimized for different stages of the reaction. After the denaturation step at 94 degrees Celsius, the temperature is lowered to allow for primer annealing and then raised again for DNA extension. The selection of 94 degrees for denaturation is a standard practice in most PCR protocols, as it ensures efficient separation of the DNA strands while minimizing the risk of damaging the DNA template.