DNA 1 - MT2 - Part 1 Flashcards
What are DNA markers?
They are specific DNA sequences that can be used to identify individual people or characterize human populations
What are DNA markers used for? (3)
- Identify individual people
- Characterize human populations
- Identify and study non human species
What does the sequence of DNA refer to?
The order of DNA bases
- pairing is specific
What does Adenine base bind to?
Thymine
What does Guanine base bind to?
Cytosine
What are A, G, T and C known as?
Nucleic acids
What is DNA’s structure?
A double helix
Is DNA inherited?
Yes
- it gets passed on from generation to generation with high stability
When does DNA change?
When it gets mutated
- occurs rarely
What does DNA left at a crime scene imply?
The presence of a specific person at the crime scene
What is an example of a type of DNA left at the crime scene?
DNA fingerprints
How can DNA be used? (5)
- In a criminal case
- In determining parentage
- Use of DNA markers in tracking migrations of people
- In determining ancestry
- Markers and disease susceptibility
What can blood types be used for?
Determine parentage
- but not prove it (only can help)
How does a DNA marker track migrations of people?
The marker might spread through a human group after it has branched off from other human groups
- looking for specific characteristics in certain human groups
How does a DNA marker detect disease susceptibility?
The DNA marker can be within or close to disease genes and can signal the presence of those disease genes in someones genome
Polymer
A large molecule built from many smaller units (monomers) of a similar form
What is an example of a polymer?
DNA
What are monomers of DNA called?
nucleotides
What makes up a nucleotide? (3)
- Phosphate groups
- A sugar
- Nitrogenous bases
What is DNA strands orientation?
5’–>3’ and 3’–> 5’
- anti parallel
- has polarity
What does 5’ refer to?
How the carbons are numbered in one of the sugars
Is there polarity between the base sequences?
No
What 2 nucleic acids consists in a purine?
- A
2. G
What 2 nucleic acids consists in a pyrimidine?
- C
2. T