1. CELL BIOLOGY

Question 1

Explain the effects of mutagens.

Answer 1

• mutagens alter the base sequence in DNA
• increasing the likelihood of mutation
• if the mutations occurs in oncogenes it may result in cancer due to uncontrlled cell division

Question 2

Outline how DNA profiles can be used in paternity testing and forensic investigations.

Answer 2

• sample collected from potential parents and a child (i.e. saliva)
• amplified using PCR
• electrophoresis separates
• each person has different number of repeats which helps in distinguisihing people
• bands in childs profile will either come from the mother or the father
• suspects bands should be identical to the bands found at the crime scene