Exploring DNA Fingerprinting Techniques

This video tutorial covers the basics of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis, explaining how these techniques are used to amplify and analyze DNA. PCR is detailed through its steps: denaturation, annealing, and extension, highlighting the role of Tac polymerase. Gel electrophoresis is described as a method for DNA fingerprinting, using restriction enzymes and radioactive tagging to differentiate DNA fragments. The tutorial concludes with a practical application in crime scene investigation, demonstrating how these techniques help identify individuals based on DNA evidence.

Why is PCR necessary for DNA cross-matching procedures?

• To change the DNA sequence

• To duplicate the DNA

• To destroy the DNA

• To color the DNA

What is the first step of the PCR process?

• Annealing

• Extension

• Denaturation

• Replication

What happens during the annealing step of PCR?

• Tack polymerase creates complementary strands

• DNA is duplicated

• DNA is split in half

• Primers attach to the DNA strands

What is the role of tack polymerase in PCR?

• To attach primers

• To split the DNA

• To cool the DNA

• To add nucleotides to the DNA strands

What does gel electrophoresis literally mean?

• Combining via heat

• Combining via electricity

• Splitting via electricity

• Splitting via heat

What is the function of a restriction enzyme?

• To color DNA

• To combine DNA

• To split DNA into pieces

• To duplicate DNA

Why might multiple restriction enzymes be used in gel electrophoresis?

• To change the DNA sequence

• To destroy the DNA

• To speed up the process

• To ensure accurate DNA matching

What is the purpose of radioactive tagging in gel electrophoresis?

• To split DNA

• To combine DNA

• To mark specific DNA sequences

• To duplicate DNA

What is the role of the agar gel in a gel electrophoresis plate?

• To allow smaller molecules to slip through

• To destroy the DNA

• To split the DNA

• To color the DNA

How can scientists determine if DNA from a crime scene matches a suspect's DNA?

• By destroying the DNA

• By duplicating the DNA

• By comparing the length and radioactive tagging of DNA fragments

• By checking the color of the DNA