Grade 12 Biology - Genetic Aberrations and DNA Technology

Vocabulary flashcards covering mutations, DNA fingerprinting, and DNA profiling.

Mutation

Any alteration in the genetic makeup (genetic code) of an organism.

Mutagens

Environmental factors such as sunlight, radiation, and smoking that cause the breakdown of DNA.

Point Mutations

Changes in DNA that involve a single nucleotide, occurring by substitution, insertions, or deletions.

DNA Fingerprinting

A technology that exploits the differences in the non-coding part of DNA to identify individuals, as each person has unique DNA (except identical twins).

STRs (Short Tandem Repeats)

Repeating sequences of base-pairs in the highly variable regions of a person’s DNA, used in DNA profiling.

DNA profiling

Involves extracting and identifying the highly variable regions of a person’s DNA that contain repeating sequences of base-pairs called STRs.

Restriction Enzymes

Enzymes used to cut DNA at the beginning and end of each repeated sequence during DNA profiling, resulting in fragments of different lengths.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A process used to create a large number of DNA fragments, providing a substantial amount of DNA to work with in DNA profiling.

Electrophoresis

A technique used to separate and detect DNA fragments based on their size during DNA profiling.

Southern Blotting

A techinque where the DNA band pattern in the gel is transferred to a nylon membrane.

DNA probe

A radioactive substance prepared to bind to specific DNA sequences.

Mutation

Any alteration in the genetic makeup (genetic code) of an organism.

Mutagens

Environmental factors such as sunlight, radiation, and smoking that cause the breakdown of DNA.

Point Mutations

Changes in DNA that involve a single nucleotide, occurring by substitution, insertions, or deletions.

DNA Fingerprinting

A technology that exploits the differences in the non-coding part of DNA to identify individuals, as each person has unique DNA (except identical twins).

STRs (Short Tandem Repeats)

Repeating sequences of base-pairs in the highly variable regions of a person’s DNA, used in DNA profiling.

DNA profiling

Involves extracting and identifying the highly variable regions of a person’s DNA that contain repeating sequences of base-pairs called STRs.

Restriction Enzymes

Enzymes used to cut DNA at the beginning and end of each repeated sequence during DNA profiling, resulting in fragments of different lengths.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A process used to create a large number of DNA fragments, providing a substantial amount of DNA to work with in DNA profiling.

Electrophoresis

A technique used to separate and detect DNA fragments based on their size during DNA profiling.

Southern Blotting

A techinque where the DNA band pattern in the gel is transferred to a nylon membrane.

DNA probe

A radioactive substance prepared to bind to specific DNA sequences.

Pathogen

An agent, such as a virus, bacterium, or fungus, that causes disease.

Vaccine

A harmless variant or derivative of a pathogen that stimulates a host's immune system to mount defenses against the pathogen.

Immune System

The body's system of defense against infectious diseases and foreign substances.

Non-coding DNA Regions

Highly variable regions in DNA that do not code for proteins but are unique to individuals, making them useful for DNA fingerprinting.

DNA Fingerprinting (DNA Profiling)

A technique that uses the unique patterns in non-coding DNA to identify individuals. Especially, Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) regions.

Significance of DNA Fingerprinting

Used in forensics for identifying suspects, in paternity tests, and in identifying genetic relationships because of its high accuracy and individual specificity.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A technique used to amplify small amounts of DNA, creating a large number of copies for analysis in DNA fingerprinting. This makes it possible to analyze even trace amounts of DNA.

Interpretation of a DNA Fingerprint

DNA fingerprints are interpreted by comparing the patterns of STRs. A match between