What is the melting step in the protein chain reaction (PCR) process?

In the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process, the melting step specifically refers to the stage where the double-stranded DNA separates into two single strands. This is accomplished by heating the DNA mixture to a high temperature, typically around 94-98°C. At this elevated temperature, the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs that hold the two strands together break, resulting in the denaturation of the DNA. This melting process is crucial because it allows access to the single strands for the subsequent steps of the PCR, such as primer annealing and DNA synthesis. Thus, the separation of DNA strands is a foundational step that enables the entire PCR process to proceed effectively.