Question

In density gradient centrifugation, satellite DNA forms ___________.

• A. many major peaks
• B. one major peak
• C. many minor peaks
• D. no peaks

Answer 1

The correct option is C many minor peaks

In humans about 99.9 percent of the base sequence is the same. Only about 0.1 percent of the genome DNA is different in all individuals except for monozygotic twins.
DNA fingerprinting involves identifying differences in this 0.1 percent DNA sequence, also called repetitive DNA. These repetitive DNA can be separated from the bulk genomic DNA as different peaks during density gradient centrifugation.
When a DNA containing solution is spun at a very high rotational speed, DNA sediments in the tube in a density-dependent manner. The bulk DNA forms a major peak and the other small peaks are referred to as satellite DNA.