DNA Fingerprinting Notes
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Transcript DNA Fingerprinting Notes
Biotechnology engineering of organisms for
useful purposes
DNA Fingerprinting
Cloning
What is DNA
Fingerprinting?
The chemical structure of everyone's DNA is
the same.
The only difference between people (or any
animal) is the order of the base pairs.
There are so many millions of base pairs in
each person's DNA that every person has a
unique and individual sequence.
What is DNA
Fingerprinting?
Because there are so many millions of base pairs,
the task of identifying EVERY base pair would be
very time-consuming.
Instead, scientists analyze small segments of DNA
where the base sequences tend to be the most
variable (~ 3 million bases) between individuals.
(About 13 locations not coding for genetic traits)
The likelihood that any 2 people would share the
same DNA profile is 1 in a quintillion (18 0’s)
Scientists are able to determine whether two DNA
samples are from the same person, related
people, or non-related people.
How is a DNA fingerprint
made?
1) Restriction enzymes are added to the DNA sample
to cut it up into smaller pieces or fragments
How is a DNA fingerprint
made?
2) Fragments are pulled through a gel
(by an electrical charge) and distribute
according to the size of the fragment
How is a DNA fingerprint
made?
3) An x-ray picture is
taken of this
distribution and then
can be compared to
other DNA samples
How is a DNA Fingerprint
made?
Different people
have different
restriction enzyme
“cut sites”
Person 1
Person 2
Resulting in different sized
DNA fragments.
Resulting in different band patterns
on a gel
What is DNA
Fingerprinting used for?
Paternity/Maternity testing
Criminal investigations (proving guilt & innocence!)
Identification of 9/11 victims & other human remains
about 20,000 pieces of human remains were
collected, a database of the victims’ DNA profiles
was created
Super Bowl XXXIV Footballs
Marked with invisible, yet permanent, strand of
synthetic DNA
2000 Summer Olympic Souvenirs
Human DNA (Australian athletes) added to ink used
to mark all official goods
What is DNA
Fingerprinting used for?
Identify endangered and protected species as an
aid to wildlife officials (could be used for
prosecuting poachers)
Detect bacteria and other organisms that may
pollute air, water, soil, and food
Match organ donors with recipients in transplant
programs
Determine pedigree for seed or livestock breeds
Authenticate consumables such as caviar and
wine