Lecture: #10 (Modern Genetics and Biotechnology: DNA Fingerprinting)

Question 1

Short tandem repeats (STR)

Answer 1

Short DNA sequences that are repeated multiple times

Every individual has two alleles per STR

made up of repetitive units that are usually 4-5 nucleotides long

are not coding for anything we are aware of

Question 2

Creating a DNA fingerprint

DNA fingerprinting

Answer 2

• The DNA fragment containing each STR region is amplified.
• The fragments are separated by size, using electrophoresis.
• The STR region is stained to become visible on the gel.