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Forensics 101 > Unit 5: DNA Profiling > Flashcards

Unit 5: DNA Profiling Flashcards

1
Q

DNA profiling

A

a technique used to identify a person based on analysis of their genetic code

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2
Q

DNA profile

A

pattern of DNA fragments (fingerprint) obtained by analyzing a person’s unique sequence of noncoding DNA

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3
Q

DNA is _____ evidence

A

individual

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4
Q

forensic genealogy

A

using both CODIS and OSACs databases to identify a subject by comparing their DNA to one or more family members

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5
Q

Alec Jefferys

A

conducted the first forensics personal identification of a murder suspect, Colin Pitchfork, using DNA fingerprints

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6
Q

Polymorphisms

A

regions of repeating DNA within an individual that is highly variable from person to person. These occur in less than 1 percent of our DNA

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7
Q

1994

A

the DNA identification act allocated funds to improve labs and communication between departments

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8
Q

1998

A

the FBI launched CODIS

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9
Q

what is CODIS?

A

(Combined DNA Index System) a database of convicted offenders and arrestees. keeps record of all missing persons and unidentified remains

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10
Q

rapid DNA kits can produce a ___ profile in ___ minutes

A

DNA; 90

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11
Q

DNA

A

deoxyribose nucleic acid; the genetic material of all living things

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12
Q

all humans contain DNA in the cells ___ and ___

A

nucleus; mitochondria

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13
Q

most DNA is ___(junk) DNA

A

noncoded

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14
Q

human genome

A

all of the DNA found in a cell

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15
Q

DNA is a ___

A

polymer

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16
Q

polymer

A

a long repeating molecule composed of repeating units call nucleotides

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17
Q

nucleotides

A

the basic unit of DNA consisting of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogen base

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18
Q

the four nitrogen bases are:

A

adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine

19
Q

1953

A

Watson, Crick, and Wilkins won a Nobel peace prize for describing DNA as a double helix shape

20
Q

phosphate and sugar make up the __ of the ladder; nitrogen bases make up the ___ of the ladder

A

handles/side; steps

21
Q

sex chromosomes

A

are the x and y chromosomes; these contain genes to determine the sex of a person

22
Q

there are __ chromosomes within the human body; __ are the sex chromosomes; the rest __ are called autosomes

23
Q

karyotype

A

an organized picture of a person’s chromosomes

24
Q

genes

A

the basic physical, functional unit of heredity; composed of DNA and located at specific locations on each chromosome

25
Q

alleles

A

an alternative form of a gene and are the 0.1 percent of our DNA that makes us unique

26
Q

introns

A

noncoding DNA and make up 95% of our genes; these are the “on and off” switch for protein production

27
Q

exons

A

coding sequence that expresses a protein

28
Q

electrophoresis

A

a method of separating molecules, such as DNA, according to size

29
Q

gel electrophoresis steps:

A
  1. collect DNA
  2. extract and isolate from cells
  3. add restriction enzymes
  4. load crime scene and suspect DNA into separate wells
  5. apply an electric field towards the positive end of the gel
  6. shorter DNA fragments move faster than longer DNA fragments
30
Q

restriction enzymes

A

they cut DNA at specific sites found within the sequence to create DNA fragments

31
Q

shorter DNA mover ___; longer DNA move ___

A

faster; slower

32
Q

true or false: STR analysis has been replaced by gel electrophoresis

A

false; it’s the other way around

33
Q

1991

A

STR was created and founded

34
Q

STR (short tandem repeats)

A

sequence of repeating bases in the variable regions of DNA that are used in DNA profiling

35
Q

STRs are ___ than DNA sequences and consist of fewer than __ bases

A

shorter; 50

36
Q

STR sequences are found at specific _____ on chromosomes referred to as ___ which are located in ___

A

`location; markers; introns

37
Q

the FBI originally used __ core STR markers; we now use __ STR markers

38
Q

homozygous genotype

A

two of the same marker

39
Q

heterozygous genotype

A

two different markers

40
Q

allele frequency

A

calculation of how often a particular allele appears within a given population

41
Q

steps of STR analysis:

A
  1. DNA is extracted and isolated from cells
  2. fluorescent primers are added to amplify DNA
  3. amplified STRs are sorted by size as they pass through gel electrophoresis
  4. primers pass through a light source that allows them to absorb and emit light
  5. prism separates light in wavelengths
  6. signal is recorded as a colored peak
  7. organizes data to produce an STR profile
42
Q

primers

A

-short sequences that stimulate the replications of specific locations on DNA
- STR amplification is completed through the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

43
Q

the sex chromosomes have an ____ marker which determines whether a person is male or female

A

AMEL; the AMEL marker regulates tooth enamel

Forensics 101 (7 decks)

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