DNA FINGERPRINTS Meaning and
Definition
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DNA fingerprints, also known as DNA profiling or genetic fingerprinting, refer to a method used to identify and distinguish individuals based on their unique DNA patterns. This technique utilizes the variations in repetitive DNA sequences, or short tandem repeats (STRs), which are highly polymorphic among individuals.
The process of DNA fingerprinting involves several steps. Firstly, DNA is extracted from a sample, such as blood, hair, saliva, or semen. The extracted DNA is then amplified through a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This increases the amount of DNA available for analysis.
Next, specific regions of the DNA are targeted, typically STRs, which consist of repeating sequences of nucleotides. These STR regions are highly variable among individuals, as the number of repeats at each location varies. This variability is what makes DNA fingerprinting unique to each person.
The amplified DNA is then separated using a process called electrophoresis, in which the DNA fragments are separated according to their size. The resulting DNA pattern is transferred onto a membrane and visualized using a staining or hybridization technique.
Finally, the DNA fingerprint is analyzed by comparing the banding patterns of different samples. By examining the number of repeat units in each STR region, scientists can generate a unique profile for each individual, allowing for identification or exclusion from a group or criminal investigation.
DNA fingerprints are widely used in various fields, including forensic investigations, paternity testing, and species identification. The accuracy and reliability of DNA fingerprints have made them an essential tool in modern genetics and criminal justice systems.
Common Misspellings for DNA FINGERPRINTS
- sna fingerprints
- xna fingerprints
- cna fingerprints
- fna fingerprints
- rna fingerprints
- ena fingerprints
- dba fingerprints
- dma fingerprints
- dja fingerprints
- dha fingerprints
- dnz fingerprints
- dns fingerprints
- dnw fingerprints
- dnq fingerprints
- dna dingerprints
- dna cingerprints
- dna vingerprints
- dna gingerprints
- dna tingerprints
- dna ringerprints
Etymology of DNA FINGERPRINTS
The word "DNA fingerprints" is a compound term composed of two parts: "DNA" and "fingerprints".
"DNA" is an abbreviation for "deoxyribonucleic acid", which is the genetic material found in nearly all living organisms. The term "DNA" was first coined in 1944 by Oswald Avery, along with his colleagues Colin MacLeod and Maclyn McCarty, who discovered that DNA carries genetic information.
"Fingerprints" refers to the unique patterns and ridges present on the tips of human fingers. Fingerprints have been known and used for identification purposes for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Babylon and China.
The term "DNA fingerprints" was coined in the late 1980s to describe a technique called DNA fingerprinting or DNA profiling. It was developed by Sir Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.
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