Special Applications of DNA

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What method do companies like Ancestry and 23andMe use to trace ancestry?

  • Skin cell testing
  • Saliva sample comparison (correct)
  • Blood sample analysis
  • Hair follicle examination

What is a key feature of DNA that allows forensic scientists to identify individuals?

  • The sequence of amino acids
  • Unique combinations of polymorphisms (correct)
  • The length of telomeres
  • The presence of mitochondria

How can DNA analysis help in paternity cases?

  • By confirming a person's age
  • By comparing DNA sequences (correct)
  • By determining ethnic background
  • By identifying genetic disorders

What notable case combined DNA ancestry analysis and forensic science?

<p>The Golden State Killer case (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has DNA analysis contributed to in legal cases?

<p>Proving or disproving innocence (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of polymorphisms makes them useful in forensic science?

<p>They are unique to each individual (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a typical application of DNA analysis?

<p>Genetic engineering of crops (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary material collected for ancestry tracing by companies?

<p>Saliva samples (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can forensic scientists use DNA analysis to determine?

<p>A person's genetic donor (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can DNA findings assist in resolving wrongful accusations?

<p>By matching DNA evidence to profiles (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

DNA analysis can only be used for paternity testing.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Polymorphisms are unique combinations in an individual's DNA that can be used to identify them.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Ancestry tracing can provide clues about a person's country of origin.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Golden State Killer case involved DNA comparisons with a genetic genealogy database.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

DNA samples cannot provide evidence in court to determine a person's innocence.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ability of DNA analysis to identify individuals has had no impact on forensic science.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Angelina was interested in her family history which led her to DNA analysis for ancestry.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Maradona's public acknowledgment of Diego Jr. came as a surprise due to negative results from a paternity test.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Each individual has a unique DNA profile that remains completely unchanged throughout their life.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

DNA can only be extracted from blood samples in forensic investigations.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

DNA Ancestry Tracing

Using DNA to discover family history, origins, and ethnic background.

Genetic Fingerprinting

Using unique DNA variations to identify individuals.

Forensic DNA Analysis

Using DNA evidence to help in criminal investigations.

Paternity Testing

Using DNA to determine the biological father of a child.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Polymorphisms

Variations in DNA sequences among individuals.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Introns

Non-coding regions of DNA.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Genetic Genealogy

Using DNA to find relatives for criminal investigations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

DNA Sequencing

Determining the order of DNA bases in a genome.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Human Genome

The complete set of human DNA.

Signup and view all the flashcards

23andMe

Company offering DNA ancestry and health testing.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What can DNA analysis reveal?

It can provide clues about family history, country of origin, and ethnic background.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How is DNA used for ancestry tracing?

DNA samples are compared to a large database of other individuals to find matches and potential relatives.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How are polymorphisms used in forensics?

They can be used to match DNA samples from a crime scene to a suspect.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What's the purpose of forensic DNA analysis?

It's used to provide evidence to support the innocence or guilt of a suspect in a legal case.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How can DNA analysis be used to determine paternity?

DNA samples from a child and potential father are compared to confirm a biological relationship.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is genetic genealogy?

Using DNA databases to find relatives of an individual, often used in criminal investigations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What was the Golden State Killer case?

A case where DNA analysis and genetic genealogy helped identify a serial killer responsible for multiple crimes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the significance of the Golden State Killer case?

It demonstrated the power of DNA analysis and genetic genealogy in solving cold cases.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

DNA Applications

  • DNA analysis has many uses, including tracing ancestry, diagnosing hereditary diseases, Covid-19 testing, paternity testing, forensics, and more.
  • Sequencing the human genome has led to improved DNA analysis methods.

Ancestry Tracing

  • DNA analysis helps people learn about their family history and origins.
  • Companies like Ancestry and 23andMe compare individual DNA to others, providing insights into genetic heritage.
  • Example: Angelina used DNA to learn more about her ethnicity.

Forensics

  • Polymorphisms (variations in non-coding DNA) are unique to each individual, creating a genetic fingerprint.
  • A unique combination of polymorphisms allows for identification of individuals.
  • Forensic science uses DNA to identify suspects or exonerate the wrongly accused.
  • Even small samples can be analyzed to identify the donor.
  • Example: Forensic analysis helped to identify Joseph James DeAngelo (Golden State Killer).

Paternity

  • DNA analysis can determine family relationships, including paternity.
  • Example: Maradona acknowledged his son after a paternity test.
  • DNA analysis techniques were instrumental in solving the Golden State Killer case by identifying a distant relative of the suspect through DNA and genetic genealogy.

Combining Ancestry and Forensics

  • By leveraging genetic genealogy databases, investigators tracked down the Golden State Killer through comparing crime scene DNA to relatives who share similar genetic markers.
  • The comparison to genetic genealogy databases, along with other investigative leads, helped narrow down the suspect pool.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser