B3.3.3 - DNA Fingerprinting Flashcards
Give 4 uses of DNA fingerprinting.
- Identifying criminal suspects.
- Maternity and Paternity testing
- Genetic counselling
- Identificaiton of genetic disorders.
What is DNA Fingerprinting (sometimes called DNA profiling)?
When scientists use DNA to identify individuals.
What is a maternity test?
A DNA fingerprinting test that allows you to identify a person’s mother.
What does the diagram show?
4 DNA fingerprints
Why do identical twins have the same DNA?
They are formed when one fertilised egg splits into two embryos at an early stage of cell development.
Which type of cell does not contain a nucleus and therefore no DNA?
A red blood cell
How do you make a DNA fingerprint?
- Extract DNA from cells.
- Use enzymes to cut DNA into small fragments.
- Insert DNA into a ‘well’ in a gel.
- Pass and electric current through the gel.
- The DNA fragments move different distances depending on size.
- The pattern produced is a DNA fingerprint.
Where is DNA most commonly taken from?
White blood cells
Hair
Cells from the inside of cheeks
What is a paternity test?
A DNA fingerprinting test that allows you to identify a person’s father.
What is genetic counselling?
Where people can find out if they are a carrieir of a genetic disorder so that they can make an informed choice about having a baby.
Who are the only people to have identical DNA?
Identical twins
Why is DNA useful for identifying people?
Because most people have unique DNA
Where is DNA found?
In the nucleus of cells
Which suspect number committed the crime?
Suspect 2 (make sure you know how to work this out!)
