Question:

DNA fingerprinting involves identifying differences in some specific regions in DNA sequence, called as:

Updated On: Nov 14, 2025
  • Satellite DNA
  • Repetitive DNA
  • Single nucleotides
  • Polymorphic DNA
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

DNA fingerprinting is a technique used to identify and evaluate the genetic information in an individual's DNA. This method is primarily concerned with examining specific areas of the DNA that show variation between individuals. These regions are known as Repetitive DNA, and here's why:

  1. Understanding Repetitive DNA: Repetitive DNA sequences are patterns of nucleotides (the building blocks of DNA) that occur in multiple copies throughout the genome. These sequences do not code for proteins but contribute to genetic diversity, making them ideal for distinguishing between individuals.
  2. Role in DNA Fingerprinting: The high variability in these sequences among different individuals makes them useful for DNA fingerprinting. Methods such as Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) and Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTRs) target these repetitive regions.
  3. Comparison with Other Options:
    • Satellite DNA: While it is a type of repetitive DNA, it is not commonly used in DNA fingerprinting due to complex variation patterns.
    • Single Nucleotides: Single nucleotide changes, or Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), are less informative for traditional DNA fingerprinting techniques focused on length polymorphisms.
    • Polymorphic DNA: While it indicates variability, it is a broader term and does not specify the repetitive nature used in fingerprinting.
  4. Conclusion: Among the given options, Repetitive DNA is the most accurate as it represents the sequence variations utilized in the DNA fingerprinting process.
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Concepts Used:

DNA Fingerprinting

​​DNA fingerprinting, also called DNA typing, DNA profiling, genetic fingerprinting, genotyping, or identity testing, in genetics, method of isolating and identifying variable elements within the base-pair sequence of DNA.

The procedure of DNA Fingerprinting:

The procedure for creating a DNA fingerprint consists of first obtaining a sample of cells, such as skin, hair, or blood cells, which contain DNA. The DNA is extracted from the cells and purified. In Jeffreys’s original approach, which was based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technology, the DNA was then cut at specific points along the strand with proteins known as restriction enzymes. The enzymes produced fragments of varying lengths that were sorted by placing them on a gel and then subjecting the gel to an electric current (electrophoresis): the shorter the fragment, the more quickly it moved toward the positive pole (anode). The sorted double-stranded DNA fragments were then subjected to a blotting technique in which they were split into single strands and transferred to a nylon sheet. The fragments underwent autoradiography in which they were exposed to DNA probes—pieces of synthetic DNA that were made radioactive and that bound to the minisatellites. A piece of X-ray film was then exposed to the fragments, and a dark mark was produced at any point where a radioactive probe had become attached. The resultant pattern of marks could then be analyzed.