There are several similarities between PCR and DNA replication:

• Both are processes of DNA synthesis
• Both are polymerizing chain reactions that proceed in the 5′ to 3′ direction in each strand
• In both processes, double-stranded DNA is separated from each other
• DNA is copied in both processes
• In both processes, existing DNA is used as the template for the synthesis of new DNA
• In both processes, DNA polymerizing enzymes add complementary bases to the growing strand
• Both processes also use primers, which are short oligonucleotide fragments complementary to DNA
• Primers are responsible for initiating DNA synthesis in both processes
• Both processes use deoxyribose nucleotides as substrates