Step 1: PCR amplification is an exponential process where the number of DNA copies doubles with each cycle.
Step 2: The formula to calculate the number of copies after \( n \) cycles is: \[ \text{Number of copies} = 2^n \]
Calculation: \[ 2^5 = 32 \]
Conclusion: After five cycles of PCR, \( 2^5 = 32 \) DNA copies are produced.