DNA Technology

What kind of DNA is used for DNA fingerprinting?

Polymorphic and junk DNA

What is polymorphic DNA?

Highly variable DNA

Length of polymorphisms are identical except for what?

Number of repeats

How do scientists cut DNA into pieces?

Restriction enzymes

What two situations might take the old way of DNA cutting not such a great technique to use?

1. If you have a small sample

2. If DNA is old and broken down

What are different versions of a gene called?

Alleles

What is the word for the place you can find a gene?

Locus

What does STR stand for?

Short tandem repeat

How big is an STR?

3-7 basepairs

What makes one STR different from another?

Base pairs that are repeated

How is the allele name of an STR determined?

Number of repeats

In a PCR machine, what happens at 94-96?

Denaturing

In a PCR machine, what happens at 60?

Annealing

In a PCR machine, what happens at 72?

Repetition

What temperature does annealing occur at?

60 degrees

What temperature does replication occur at?

72 degrees

Denaturation occurs at what temperature?

94 degrees

Through what original method were pieces of DNA of different lengths separated from each other?

Gel electrophoresis

What is the charge on a piece of DNA?

Negative

Which moves faster - small pieces of DNA or large pieces?

Small

If a gel plate has a negative end and a positive end, which side does it make sense to place the DNA being tested?

Negative

What is the newer technology for separating DNA segments?

Capillary electrophoresis

How many STRs are recommended for DNA analysis, according to the FBI?

20

What does CODIS stand for?

Combined DNA index system