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Complementary DNA is DNA made from an RNA template by reverse transcription. When its template is mature messenger RNA, its sequence reflects the processed transcript rather than every intervening intron in the corresponding gene.

An enzyme that can synthesize DNA from an RNA template during reverse transcription.

Reverse transcription makes DNA from an RNA template using a reverse transcriptase. It reverses the template/product relationship of ordinary transcription, which makes RNA from DNA. The resulting Complementary DNA can supply a template for PCR amplification.^[ref]

RT-PCR combines reverse transcription with PCR amplification. The RT names the RNA-to-DNA step, not real-time observation. RT-PCR can have an endpoint readout. A matched preparation omitting reverse transcriptase tests whether contaminating DNA could account for amplification; it answers a different question from a no-template reaction.^[ref]

RT-qPCR applies qPCR after reverse transcription. Differences in RNA recovery and conversion into Complementary DNA can affect its inferred starting amount as well as differences in PCR efficiency.