DNA+Fingerprinting+SLS

**What process makes copies of a specific DNA sequence?** PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) **How much DNA is required at the start for this process to work at amplifying (copying) this target sequence?** The targeted sequence can be less than one part in a million of the total DNA sample. **Why would this process be useful in analyzing the DNA in mummified human brain****s?** Since so little DNA is required for PCR to be effective, it has even been possible to sequence DNA taken from mummified human brains. **How can the repeat DNA sequences in a human DNA sample be detected?** DNA fingerprinting is often carried out by detecting how many times a short sequence is repeated. The greater the number of repeats at a location, the greater amount of DNA that is amplified by PCR. If two DNA patterns match, there is a high probability that the DNA came from the same source. **How do organisms differ with respect to the repeats?** PCR amplifies only particular portions of the DNA. Therefore, the greater the number of repeats at a location, the greater the amount of DNA that is amplified of PCR. **Which process can separate amplified (copied) DNA based on its size?** Gel electrophoresis **What type of pattern is produced?** The result is a pattern of distinctive bands. **As the number of repeats increases in a human DNA segment, what will happen to the size of that segment.** The size of the segment will double. **When comparing band patterns to identify the human individual that was the source of the DNA is called?** DNA fingerprinting. **Why do individuals have unique DNA fingerprints?** Each sperm and egg combination produces a unique fingerprint for that particular human. **Describe FOUR of the uses of DNA fingerprinting.** DNA from a single sperm is enough to identify a suspected rapist, criminal, body remains and infections. **Would you be willing to provide your DNA for a national DNA databank? Why or Why not?** Yes I think it would be beneficial to our countries safety. **What type of privacy restrictions would you want on your DNA, if in a databank?** I would only allow for the databank to be opened if I were being charged for a severe murder case or was an unknown body. **If not everyone, do you think convicted felons, at least, should be required to provide DNA for a databank? Why or why not?** Yes, it would help us identify them and possibly catch them rather than keeping others in danger. **Should all defendants have access to DNA fingerprinting to prove they didn't do a crime? Why or Why not?** Only certain people should have access to these fingerprints so that they remained highly classified and could not be copied for used for blackmail. **Should this include those already convicted of crimes who want to reopen their cases using new DNA evidence?** Yes, I think both those who have already convicted and also those who are convicting crimes as we speak should have their DNA in a databank.
 * DNA fingerprinting (p.459) **
 * DNA Fingerprinting and the Criminal Justice System (p.464) **