Which statement accurately describes the PCR process?

The statement that PCR geometrically amplifies the target DNA is accurate because the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is fundamentally designed to create multiple copies of a specific DNA segment. This process involves repeated cycles of denaturation, annealing, and extension. In each cycle, the amount of target DNA doubles, leading to exponential amplification. This characteristic allows for the generation of millions of copies of a desired DNA sequence from a small initial sample.

In contrast, the other statements do not correctly portray the essential characteristics of the PCR process. For instance, PCR products are not inhibitors of the reaction—they are the intended end products. Furthermore, while restriction enzymes may be used in some molecular biology applications, PCR itself does not require any type of restriction enzyme. Instead, it operates on the principles of DNA polymerase activity. Lastly, the use of forward and reverse primers is crucial in PCR, but the more appropriate and widely accepted terms are 'primers' rather than 'probes,' which are typically used in different contexts, such as in hybridization techniques.