Question

Satellite DNA is important because it

• A. Codes for enzymes needed for DNA replication
• B. Does not code for proteins and is same in all members of the population
• C. Shows high degree of polymorphism in population and also the same degree of polymorphism in an individual, which is heritable from parents to children
• D. Codes for proteins needed in cell cycle

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Shows high degree of polymorphism in population and also the same degree of polymorphism in an individual, which is heritable from parents to children

The correct option is C.

Explanation of correct option:

1. Satellite DNA is the non-coding region of DNA that consists of repetitive sequences.
2. Due to the presence of high repetitive sequence, the region represents high polymorphism in the population which is used in DNA fingerprinting.
3. Repeated sequences are seen in the region of satellite DNA.
4. No enzymes or proteins are encoded in this area.
5. In the population or between two separate organisms, the region exhibits considerable polymorphism.
6. Analyses of DNA fingerprints can leverage this characteristic.
7. In closely related people, the satellite DNA displays the same level of polymorphism.
8. In cases where the degree of polymorphism between the child and the parent is the same, this feature can be utilised to determine paternity.

Explanation of incorrect options:

Option A:

1. DNA replication refers to a semi-conservative process where a new complementary daughter strand is synthesized from the parental strand.
2. It requires several proteins including enzymes and DNA molecules.
3. Satellite DNA is non-coding DNA that does not code for any enzyme or protein.

Option B:

1. Satellite DNA shows similarity in the same individuals but high variability in closely related species.
2. It has the power to show a high degree of polymorphism.
3. Though satellite DNA does not code for proteins they are inheritable from parents to children, not remain the same for all populations.

Option D:

1. Kinase and cyclin proteins are required in the cell cycle.
2. Satellite DNA possesses non-coding DNA regions.
3. It does not code for any protein.

Final answer: Satellite DNA is important because it shows a high degree of polymorphism in the population and also the same degree of polymorphism in an individual, which is heritable from parents to children.