Unit 1: Forensic use of DNA

Question 1

what is DNA profiling used for?

Answer 1

forensics, paternity tests, pedigree tests, determining origin of biological material

Question 2

exons or introns used to identify individuals?

Answer 2

introns

Question 3

what are VNTR’s

Answer 3

short repeating sequences of DNA most variable. 3,4 or 5 nucleotides long

Question 4

what are the stages in forensic profiling

Answer 4

1. DNA samples are isolated and amplified using PCR
2. DNA is digested by restriction endonuclease
3. enzyme cuts at specific VNTR sites
4. DNA fragments separated by gel electrophoresis
5. DNA is denatured and blotted onto a membrane filter
6. single locus probes hybridise sequence and detect labelled probes.