Electropherogram Analysis Concepts

The video tutorial explains electropherograms, focusing on how to interpret peaks and colors to determine genetic information. It covers the significance of RFUs, gender determination through green peaks, and the role of size standards in calibration. The use of different dyes to distinguish alleles is discussed, along with identifying homozygous and heterozygous genotypes. The tutorial also addresses stutters, baseline noise, and how DNA fragment length is represented on the x-axis.

What do the numbers along the y-axis of an electropherogram represent?

• Electrophoresis speed

• DNA fragment length

• Relative fluorescent units

• Sample concentration

In an electropherogram, what does a single tall green peak indicate?

• A female subject

• An unknown gender

• A male subject

• A calibration error

Why are red peaks often disregarded in DNA profile analysis?

• They represent stutters

• They indicate a calibration error

• They are too small to be significant

• They represent the size standard

What is the purpose of using different colored dyes in electropherograms?

• To enhance the visibility of the peaks

• To distinguish alleles of similar length

• To indicate the speed of electrophoresis

• To mark the baseline

What do black peaks in an electropherogram represent?

• Green dyed alleles

• Yellow dyed alleles

• Blue dyed alleles

• Red dyed alleles

What does a single peak at a locus generally indicate?

• A calibration error

• A stutter

• A heterozygous genotype

• A homozygous genotype

Why are homozygous peaks generally taller than heterozygous peaks?

• They are affected by stutters

• They contain more genetic material

• They are closer to the baseline

• They are measured differently

What are stutters in an electropherogram?

• Baseline noise

• Echoes of larger peaks

• Peaks representing alleles

• Calibration errors

What is the baseline in an electropherogram?

• The zero RFU readout

• The threshold value

• The average peak height

• The highest peak

What does the x-axis of an electropherogram represent?

• DNA fragment length

• Relative fluorescent units

• Sample concentration

• Electrophoresis speed