Bertino Chapter 7 DNA Profiling

allele

an alternate form of a gene; for example, a gene for human hair color may have alleles that cause red or brown hair

chromosome

nuclear cell structure that contains DNA in humans

Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)

the FBI's computerized criminal DNA databases as well as the software used to run these databases; includes the National DNA Index System (NDIS)

DNA fingerprint (profile)

pattern of DNA fragments obtained by examining a person's unique sequence of DNA base pairs (DNA profiling)

DNA probe

a molecule labeled with a radioactive isotope, dye, or enzyme that is used to locate a particular sequence or gene on a DNA molecule

electrophoresis

a method of separating molecules, such as DNA, according to their size and electrical charge using an electric current passed through a gel containing the samples

Exon

expressed sequence of DNA; codes for a protein

gene

segment of DNA in a chromosome that contains information used to produce a protein or an RNA molecule

Genome

All the genetic information (DNA) in an organism; includes both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA

Intron

portion of a gene that is not expressed

Karyotype

picture of the paired homologous chromosomes and sex chromosomes in a cell

polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

can be used to make millions of copies of DNA from a very small amount of DNA

Polymorphism

The different DNA sequences among individuals, groups, or populations. At the DNA level includes a wide range of variations from single base pair change, many base pairs, and repeated sequences.

Primer

A short segment of DNA that acts as the starting point for a new strand

Restriction enzyme

Enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific sequence of nucleotides; "molecular scissors"

Restriction fragment

DNA fragment that restriction enzymes create, as in preparation for gel electrophoresis

short tandem repeats (STRs)

tandem repeats of short DNA sequences (2-5 base pairs) with varying numbers of repeats found among individuals

variable number tandem repeats (VNTR)

repeats of a short DNA sequence (9 to 80 base pairs) with varying numbers of repeats among individuals