Studying the Human Genome

Flashcards designed to review key concepts and terminology related to studying the human genome, focusing on DNA manipulation, gel electrophoresis, and DNA fingerprinting.

What is the purpose of restriction enzymes in DNA manipulation?

Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sites to facilitate the reading and manipulation of DNA base sequences.

What is gel electrophoresis?

A technique used to separate DNA fragments by size using an electric voltage.

How do DNA fragments move in gel electrophoresis?

DNA fragments move towards the positive end of the gel because DNA is negatively charged.

What are short tandem repeats (STRs)?

Short sequences of DNA that are repeated numerous times, typically 2-6 bases in length, and vary among individuals.

What is DNA fingerprinting used for?

DNA fingerprinting is a technique for identifying individuals by comparing DNA samples, often used in paternity testing and forensic investigations.

In DNA fingerprinting, why do some fragments appear as bands?

Fragments are labeled using radioactive probes during gel electrophoresis, producing a series of bands that represent the DNA fingerprint.

What does a DNA fingerprint reveal about individuals?

It reveals distinctive patterns in non-coding regions of DNA that vary from person to person.

What converts a DNA sequence into an identified fingerprint?

The separation of DNA fragments by size through gel electrophoresis and their subsequent labeling.

What technique is utilized to determine the biological father in paternity testing?

Comparing DNA profiles between the mother, child, and potential fathers to identify matches.

What is the significance of the sticky ends produced by restriction enzymes?

Sticky ends allow for the easy joining of DNA fragments with complementary sequences.