Genetic fingerprinting (A-level only)

An organism’s genome contains many variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs). The probability of two individuals having the same VNTRs is very low.

The technique of genetic fingerprinting in analysing DNA fragments that have been cloned by PCR, and its use in determining genetic relationships and in determining the genetic variability within a population.

The use of genetic fingerprinting in the fields of forensic science, medical diagnosis, animal and plant breeding.

Students should be able to:

• explain the biological principles that underpin genetic fingerprinting techniques

• interpret data showing the results of gel electrophoresis to separate DNA fragments

• explain why scientists might use genetic fingerprinting in the fields of forensic science, medical diagnosis, animal and plant breeding.

AT g

Students could use gel electrophoresis to produce ‘fingerprints’ of food dyes.