PCR produces millions of copies of a specific DNA in vitro using thermal cycling and DNA polymerase, while cloning produces individuals with identical DNA through asexual reproduction or molecular cloning. Both techniques are used to produce large numbers of identical DNA copies and are important for recombinant protein production, though PCR is also used for diagnostics and cloning for making proteins, antibiotics, and vaccines.

1. Variance between PCR and Cloning
Dr. K. Prabu

2.  The main difference between PCR and cloning is that
PCR produces millions of copies of a specific DNA,
whereas cloning produces individuals with identical
DNA.
 PCR and cloning are two techniques that involve the
production of a large number of identical DNA copies.
Both processes are important in recombinant protein
production.
Introduction

4.  PCR or polymerase chain reaction is the laboratory
technique for the production of millions of copies of
specific DNA in vitro. It was developed by Kary Mullis in
1983. The most significant feature of PCR is that it relies on
thermal cycling. Therefore, it permits different
temperature-dependent reactions to occur, including DNA
melting and enzyme-driven DNA polymerization. On the
other hand, the two main reagents used in PCR are the
DNA primers, which are complementary to the target
sequence, and a heat-stable DNA polymerase such as Taq
polymerase, isolated from the thermophilic bacterium
Thermus aquaticus. Meanwhile, the forward and reverse
PCR primers flank the region to be polymerized on the
DNA fragment.
What is PCR

6.  Furthermore, PCR is important for selective DNA
isolation, amplification, and quantification of DNA,
infectious disease diagnosis, forensic applications,
and research applications. Another feature of PCR is
the rapid amplification of DNA in vitro. The products
of PCR are important for sequencing, cloning, and
analysis. In addition, qPCR is important for the
quantification of gene expression in cancer, microbes,
and other disease states.

7.  Cloning is the process of producing individual
organisms with identical DNA. There are four types of
cloning: natural cloning, molecular cloning, cell
cloning, and organism cloning. Generally, asexual
reproduction in plants, fungi, and bacteria is a
method of cloning. Asexual reproduction produces
another individual with similar genetic characteristics
to the parent organism. In comparison, molecular
cloning is the process of producing multiple
molecules. Normally, it involves the production of
multiple copies of DNA fragments, which is important
for studying the gene and its expression.
What is Cloning

8.  Moreover, cell cloning is the process of cloning cells. There
are two types of cell cloning: cloning of unicellular
organisms and stem cell cloning. Unicellular organisms
such as bacteria and yeast are cloned to produce cell
populations with similar genetics. Generally, it is important
in the production of recombinant proteins such as vaccines
and antibiotics. Stem cell cloning, on the other hand, is
important for research and therapeutic purposes. In
addition, organism cloning is the process of creating new
multicellular organisms that is genetically identical to one
another.

9.  PCR and cloning are two techniques involved in the
production of a large number of identical copies of
DNA.
 Both techniques are important in the production of
recombinant proteins.
Similarities Between PCR and Cloning

10.  PCR is important in diagnostics, forensics, and genetic
testing while cloning is important for the production
of proteins, antibiotics, and vaccines.
Applications

11.  In brief, PCR and cloning are two techniques involved in
the production of a large number of copies of a specific
DNA. Generally, PCR produces millions of copies of a
specific DNA in vitro. It also requires Taq DNA polymerase
for the amplification of DNA. PCR is also important in
diagnostics, forensics, and genetic testing. In comparison,
cloning is the production of a large number of individuals
with identical DNA. The amplification of DNA occurs in vivo
in cloning. Importantly, cloning is useful for the production
of proteins, vaccines, and antibiotics as well. Therefore,
the main difference between PCR and cloning is the
amplification of DNA.
Conclusion