16.

8 Genetic fingerprinting

10.1 Coordination.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this lesson I

will know:
What genetic
fingerprinting is

Success criteria

How genetic
fingerprinting is carried
out and the results
interpreted
What genetic
fingerprinting is used for

By the end of this lesson I

can:
Describe the theory behind
genetic fingerprinting
Produce a flow diagram of
the key stages in the
process
Make a concept map to
summarise the uses of
genetic fingerprinting
Answer application style
questions about genetic
fingerprinting

Genetic fingerprinting background

95% of the human genome consists of INTRONS (non-coding DNA)
E1

Intron

AACAAC...AAC
Restriction
endonuclease sites

E2

CORE SEQUENCE:
Repetitive DNA
sequence within intron

Individuals have a unique pattern of core sequences in their DNA:

(a)The number of different core sequences varies between
individuals and...
(b)The length of each core sequence also varies
The more closely related two individuals are the more similar their
core sequences will be e.g. Identical twins

Genetic fingerprinting
basics
Because everyones DNA is unique DNA fingerprinting can be
used for identification:
1) Isolation DNA is extracted
from blood, hair or semen
2) Fragmentation the DNA is
cut into fragments using
restriction enzymes
3) Separation the DNA sections
are separated using
electrophoresis
4) Comparison the DNA is
compared to a sample from the
crime scene

DNA from
the crime

Suspects

Genetic fingerprinting process

1. Extraction and
digestion of DNA
with restriction
enzymes
2. Separation of DNA
fragments and
southern blotting
3. Hybridisation of
DNA probes to
nylon membrane
4. Development of
membrane with
x-ray film
TASK: In 4 groups you are going to represent the key stages of
the process in a series of diagrams with detailed explanations

Summary questions
Answer summary questions 1 and 2 from page
278 of the textbook
Answers:
1.Very small amounts of DNA may be gathered from
a crime scene so PCR is used to increase the
quantity available for analysis
2.(a) suspect B was present since genetic fingerprint
matches that of the blood
(b) The victims DNA fingerprint rules out the
possibility of blood found having come from them

Uses of genetic
fingerprinting
Make a concept map to summarise and explain
these different uses of genetic fingerprinting:

Identify
criminals

Medical diagnosis
of disease

Paternity
tests

Genetic
fingerprinting

Testing genetic variability

in a population

Selective breeding of
plants and animals

Identify
microbes

Refer to information on pages 277-279 of

the textbook to help you

Plenary / Homework
Read through the application of
genetic fingerprinting on pages 278279 and answer the application
questions

Learning outcomes

By the end of this lesson I

will know:
What genetic
fingerprinting is

Success criteria

How genetic
fingerprinting is carried
out and the results
interpreted
What genetic
fingerprinting is used for

By the end of this lesson I

can:
Describe the theory behind
genetic fingerprinting
Produce a flow diagram of
the key stages in the
process
Make a concept map to
summarise the uses of
genetic fingerprinting
Answer application style
questions about genetic
fingerprinting