pcr test
pcr test — noun
1. A medical test that looks for the genetic material of a virus or bacteria in a s
A medical test that looks for the genetic material of a virus or bacteria in a sample taken from the body, usually from the nose or throat, by creating many copies of a specific piece of DNA so that even very small amounts can be detected.
Yuna took a PCR test three days before her international flight.
collocation: take a PCR test
The school required all students returning from abroad to show a negative PCR test result.
Passengers whose PCR tests came back positive were asked to stay in their rooms.
Liam's PCR test showed no virus, so he returned to work the next day.
Nurses at the clinic administered PCR tests to everyone with flu-like symptoms.
- COVID test
informal, narrower — refers specifically to coronavirus testing
- nasal swab test
describes the sample collection method, not the lab technique
- rapid antigen test
faster but less accurate; detects viral proteins instead of genetic material
文法句型
PCR test + noun (sample/result/kit)
take/have/get + a PCR test
用法筆記
Frequently followed by the nouns "result", "sample", and "kit". The verb commonly paired with this sense is "take" (for the person being tested) or "administer" (for the medical worker). Distinguish from sense 2, which describes the technique used in research and forensics.
常見錯誤
2. A laboratory method that rapidly makes millions of identical copies of a specifi
A laboratory method that rapidly makes millions of identical copies of a specific DNA sequence from a sample, used by scientists and forensic experts to study genetic material in detail for identification, research, or diagnosis purposes.
Forensic scientists ran a PCR test on a drop of blood from the crime scene.
collocation: run a PCR test
Owen's team used a PCR test to compare DNA from ancient bones with modern populations.
A PCR test can confirm whether a father and child share a biological relationship.
Food safety labs perform PCR tests to spot harmful bacteria in meat samples.
Wildlife researchers use PCR tests to identify the species of animals from hair or droppings.
- DNA amplification test
technical, describes the mechanism directly
- nucleic acid test
broader category that includes PCR-based methods
文法句型
perform/run + a PCR test
PCR test + on + sample
用法筆記
Common in scientific and formal writing. The verbs "perform", "run", and "conduct" are preferred over "take" or "do". Distinguished from sense 1 by its broader application beyond infectious disease — including forensics, archaeology, paternity testing, and food safety.