Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Enzymes in Forensics

What is the primary purpose of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in forensic science?

• To amplify small segments of DNA

• To cut DNA at specific sequences

• To stain DNA with ethidium bromide

• To diagnose genetic disorders

What is the role of Taq polymerase in the PCR process?

• To separate double-stranded DNA

• To bind primers to DNA

• To synthesize new DNA strands

• To cut DNA at specific sequences

What is the function of restriction enzymes in DNA analysis?

• To amplify DNA

• To cut DNA at specific sequences

• To visualize DNA fragments

• To diagnose genetic disorders

Which of the following is a characteristic of sticky ends produced by restriction enzymes?

• They are blunt ends with no overhangs

• They are single-stranded overhangs

• They are double-stranded overhangs

• They cannot interact with complementary sequences

What is the significance of combining PCR and restriction enzyme analysis in forensic science?

• To amplify DNA from large samples

• To identify and differentiate between DNA samples

• To diagnose genetic disorders

• To study viral and cellular genes