Question

What is DNA fingerprinting? Write any four applications of DNA fingerprinting.

Answer 1

DNA fingerprinting is a technique which is used to determine the regions which are specific to an individual. There are VNTRs present in the genome of every organism which can be determined by using this technique.

Application of DNA fingerprinting technique:

• DNA polymorphism can be studied. The position and the number of VNTRs are revealed during DNA fingerprinting.
  
• This technique can be useful in the identification of suspect since it is very remote possibility to have two individuals same repeats of satellite DNA throughout the genome except they share a biological relationship.
• Restriction enzymes of genome produce the restriction fragments length polymorphisms, or RFLPs depending on the location of restriction sites which are then sorted by gel electrophoresis followed by southern blotting.
  
• The blots of the suspect and of the sample from the crime scene are compared for sequence homology using radioactive probes.
  
• This can also be used for paternity testing in the case of lost child.
• This method is used in various fields of forensics.