Genetics Quiz

Which of the following is true about human chromosomes?

What are the working portions of the chromosomes called?

What do the short sequences of bases between genes repeat many times in a row?

Approximately what percentage of the human genome consists of Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)?

What is created to identify individuals using DNA regions that vary from person to person?

What is the chance of another person having the same DNA profile for a particular set of regions?

What is the percentage of DNA that differs from one person to the next?

What can scientists use to generate a DNA profile of an individual?

In criminal cases, what do forensic scientists analyze for the presence of a set of specific DNA regions?

If two DNA samples are alike at 4 or 5 regions, what does it suggest?

Human Chromosomes Overview

Humans have 46 chromosomes, organized into 23 pairs comprising 22 autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes.
The working portions of chromosomes are known as genes, which code for proteins that perform various functions in the body.

Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)

Short sequences of bases between genes that repeat multiple times in succession are called Short Tandem Repeats (STRs).
Approximately 3-4% of the human genome consists of STRs, which are used in genetic profiling.

DNA Profiling

DNA profiling is created to identify individuals based on regions of DNA that vary among people.
The chance of another person having the same DNA profile for a particular set of regions is extremely low, often estimated at 1 in several billion, depending on the number of regions examined.

Genetic Variation

On average, about 0.1% of DNA differs from one person to the next, which accounts for variations in traits and genetics.

Forensic DNA Analysis

Forensic scientists analyze biological samples in criminal cases for the presence of specific DNA regions, particularly STRs, to match suspects with crime scenes.
If two DNA samples are alike at 4 or 5 regions, it suggests a potential familial or genetic relationship, although more comparison is needed for conclusive evidence.

Test your knowledge about chromosomes, genes, and DNA sequences with this quiz. Explore the fascinating world of genetics and discover the role these components play in protein construction.