DNA Fingerprinting and Polymorphism — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptHuman genome project was a mega project that aimed to sequence every base in human genome. This project has yielded much new information. Many new areas and avenues have opened up as a consequence of the project. DNA Fingerprinting is a technique to find out variations in individuals of a population at DNA level. It works on the principle of polymorphism in DNA sequences. It has immense applications in the field of forensic science, genetic biodiversity and evolutionary biology.
Which of the following statements about the applications and principles of DNA fingerprinting are correct? S1: DNA fingerprinting is widely applied in forensic science for identifying criminals and establishing paternity. S2: The uniqueness of DNA fingerprint patterns, except for identical twins, forms the foundation for its use in personal identification. S3: Polymorphism in DNA sequences is primarily exploited in DNA fingerprinting, particularly in non-coding regions like VNTRs. S4: This technique can also be used to determine population and genetic diversities, as well as in evolutionary biology studies. S5: While sensitive, DNA fingerprinting generally requires a large quantity of DNA, making PCR amplification an optional step.
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: A — S1, S2, S3 and S4
The core concept revolves around the applications and underlying principles of DNA fingerprinting. S1: DNA fingerprinting is indeed a crucial tool in forensic science for purposes such as identifying suspects or victims in criminal cases and resolving paternity disputes. This statement is correct. S2: The distinctive nature of an individual's DNA fingerprint pattern, with the exception of monozygotic (identical) twins who share the same genetic material, is the fundamental reason it serves as a reliable method for personal identification. This statement is correct. S3: DNA fingerprinting is based on the exploitation of polymorphism, or genetic variation, specifically in repetitive DNA sequences like VNTRs found in non-coding regions, which show high variability among individuals. This statement is correct. S4: Beyond forensic applications, DNA fingerprinting has broader uses, including studying the genetic variation within populations (genetic diversity) and tracking evolutionary relationships. This statement is correct. S5: This statement is incorrect. The NCERT states that 'The sensitivity of the technique has been increased by use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)... Consequently, DNA from a single cell is enough to perform DNA fingerprinting analysis.' This implies that PCR is a critical step, especially when starting with small amounts of DNA, not an optional one for obtaining sufficient quantity, and a large quantity of DNA is not generally required *if PCR is used*. Therefore, statements S1, S2, S3, and S4 are correct.
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