DNA fingerprints of profiles A very simplified outline on the process: A DNA sample is taken from blood or cheek cells

The DNA is cut into segments using restriction enzymes The DNA segments are separated within an electrical field Radioactive probes are attached to the targeted base sequence An Xray photograph is produced showing the bands

A brief explanation: Some parts of DNA molecules i.e. base sequences, vary greatly from one individual to the next. They are called hypervariable regions. These are base sequences that are not part of the genes These variable regions are inherited.

What are these regions like? In these regions, base sequences repeat and the number of repeats vary from one person to the next o E.g. person 1: CAT CAT CAT (3 repeats) o E.g. person 2: CAT CAT (2 repeats) o E.g. person 3: 10 repeats It is these repeats that are compared, they are marked with radioactive probes and they will be seen as bands on a DNA profile

Why are all the bands on a profile photograph the same length? The radioactive probes are all the same length and its only the probe that is photograph Each person would have a different sequence of bands, o For example one individual may have:  CAT CAT CAT  CAT CAT o Another person may have:  CAT CAT  CAT CAT CAT CAT When profiling o All of the bands in a child s profile are seen in either the mother s or father s profile DNA fingerprinting or profiling is use to: o Establish the guilt of a criminal o Establish the innocence of an individual

o o o

Establish paternity links Establish the evolutionary links between individuals Confirm animal pedigree e.g. horse pedigree