Question

Regarding the assertion and reason, select the correct option.
Assertion [A]: The probability of two individuals having the same number of STRs is said to be about one in ten billion and yet, STRs are said to be the most unique feature of an individual’s genome.
Reason [R]: STRs from 13 different parts of the human genome are considered from 13 different locations in the genome.

• A. Both A and R are true and R explains A
• B. Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
• C. A is true and R is false
• D. Both A and R are false

Answer 1

The correct option is A Both A and R are true and R explains A

It is said that the probability of two individuals having the same number of STRs is very low- about one in 10 billion. STRs are also inherited, which means that closely related family members may have similar patterns, though the exact number of repeats would usually be different. These facts might seem to indicate that the chance of uniqueness is reduced. However, STRs are typically taken from 13 different parts of the same individual’s genome. The probability of all those to be exactly the same for two individuals, would be much lesser. Thus, STRs are considered to be the most reliable sequences for identification of individuals.