DNA Fingerprinting

What is a DNA fingerprint? An actual human fingerprint is a series of ridges on the tip of each finger. The pattern of these ridges varies from person to person and is so distinctive that each person can be identified by their fingerprint. DNA fingerprinting uses the pattern of DNA fragments caused by specific enzymes to identify individual organisms: humans, other animals, plants, or any other organism with DNA. DNA fingerprinting is useful in paternity analysis, criminal cases, and many studies of ecology and evolution.

View the animation below, then complete the quiz to test your knowledge of the concept.


1	In traditional DNA fingerprinting, the DNA that has been collected is cut into smaller pieces by...

		A)	probe molecules.
		B)	restriction enzymes.
		C)	gel electrophoresis.
		D)	denaturation.
		E)	hybridization.

2	The resulting thousands of different sized DNA fragments are then separated by size using...

		A)	probe molecules.
		B)	restriction enzymes.
		C)	gel electrophoresis.
		D)	denaturation.
		E)	hybridization.

3	The addition of radiolabeled probe molecules to the DNA fragments results in...

		A)	hybridization.
		B)	denaturation.
		C)	filtration.
		D)	a gel blot.
		E)	exposure to x-ray film.

4	DNA fingerprinting is a method of identification based on a family's DNA traits.

		A)	True
		B)	False

5	The main difference between traditional DNA fingerprinting and the method that has superceded it is that the newer method does not contain variable number of tandem repeat sequences - or VNTRs.

		A)	True
		B)	False

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