Flash Cards: Applications of Recombinant DNA Technology

Recombinant DNA technology is a set of techniques used to combine genetic material from multiple sources into a single DNA molecule to create new genetic combinations.

DNA fingerprinting is used for identifying individuals based on unique patterns in their DNA, particularly in paternity testing and forensic science.

Microsatellites are repeat sequences of 1 to 9 base pairs, while minisatellites are repeat sequences of 10 to 100 base pairs.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is used to amplify DNA, increasing the sensitivity of the fingerprinting technique, especially with small DNA samples.

RFLP stands for Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, which is a technique used to analyze DNA samples by cutting them with restriction enzymes to produce unique fragment patterns.

Southern hybridization is a technique used to detect specific DNA sequences by hybridizing a DNA probe to fragments separated on a gel.

One application of DNA fingerprinting is in forensic science to identify suspects based on DNA extracted from crime scenes.

DNA fingerprinting analyzes the VNTR patterns of a child and compares them with those of the parents to confirm biological relationships.

DNA fingerprinting can compare DNA from fossils to modern species, providing insights into evolutionary relationships.

A common mistake is confusing the DNA patterns of a parent with those of siblings, not recognizing that patterns can differ.

Recombinant vaccines are produced using recombinant DNA technology to prompt an immune response without using live pathogens.

Gene therapy involves altering the genes inside an individual's cells to treat or prevent disease, often using recombinant DNA technology.

Transgenic organisms are those that have been genetically modified to carry a gene from an unrelated organism, enhancing traits or functions.

DNA can be isolated from samples such as blood, hair, skin, semen, and buccal swabs.

Gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments based on size, allowing for analysis and comparison of DNA profiles.

Polymorphism refers to the variations in DNA sequences that can lead to differences between individuals, essential for DNA fingerprinting.

DNA profiles are proposed to be used as genetic barcodes for personal identification, enhancing security and accuracy.

Genetic polymorphism refers to the presence of two or more variations (alleles) in a population, leading to genetic diversity.