Electrophoresis and DNA Fingerprinting

Flashcards summarizing key concepts related to electrophoresis and DNA fingerprinting based on the lecture notes.

Gel Electrophoresis

A technique used to separate pieces of DNA according to their size.

Restriction Enzymes

Tools that enable visualization of differences in DNA between organisms.

Nucleotides

The basic structural units of DNA that can differ between individuals.

Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTRs)

Short sequences of nucleotides that are repeated a variable number of times between individuals.

DNA Bands

Different sizes of DNA that result from varying numbers of VNTRs, visualized in electrophoresis.

DNA Profiling

A technique used to analyze human DNA for various applications, including criminal cases and genetic diseases.

Conservation Biologists

Scientists who use DNA profiling to determine genetic similarity and kinship among populations or individuals.

Taxonomists

Biologists who use genetic variation revealed by DNA profiling to distinguish species.

Evolutionary Biologists

Scientists who compare DNA profiles to construct hypothetical family trees among species.

Kinship

The relationship between individuals that can be analyzed using DNA profiling.