lab 7 paternity testing review

small fragments of DNA

• smaller in size = easier time moving a longer distance

• large fragments get stuck near top of gel

what will travel farther in a gel, small or large fragments of DNA?

DNA is negatively charged due to its phosphate groups in its nucleotides

Is DNA positively or negatively charged?

restriction enzymes

enzymes that recognize a specific “stop” nucleotide sequence and then cut the DNA to form a fragment

• RFLP = restriction fragment length polymorphism which is repeated sets/ variations in the lengths of restriction fragments in a sample of DNA

• it causes different band sizes b/c its made up of different allele combinations and unique stop codons

what is a RFLP? Why does it cause bands of different sizes?

No, there are too many possible expressed allele combinations in each gene for two people to have identical genetic makeups.

• mutations in DNA over time also makes each DNA fingerprint unique

could 2 people ever have the same DNA fingerprint?