D.N.A. Fingerprint

To understand D.N.A. fingerprints, it is helpful to first understand fingerprints.

Fingerprints generally refer to the unique marks or impressions left by human hands. No two people have identical fingerprints (except for clones or identical twins). This uniqueness makes fingerprints useful for land registration, biometric identification, and official record-keeping, as they help distinguish the identities of different individuals.

Differences in fingerprints between individuals are caused by differences in genes or DNA (A, T, G, C).

Process of DNA Fingerprinting

1. An organism’s DNA is cut using restriction enzymes.

2. The resulting DNA fragments are separated using gel electrophoresis.

3. A photographic pattern of the DNA fragments is obtained. This pattern is called a DNA fingerprint or DNA profile.

The DNA fingerprint is specific and unique to each individual, meaning no two people will have the same DNA fingerprint.

• A pattern of bands on a gel, unique to each individual, represents a DNA fingerprint.

• First, the complete DNA of an organism or human is collected and cut with restriction enzymes.

• The DNA fragments are then run on a gel layer using gel electrophoresis.

• As a result, DNA fragments form several aligned bands, ranging from larger to smaller fragments.

• Special photographic methods capture the nature and position of the bands.

• This photographic arrangement or image of the DNA fragments is known as a DNA fingerprint or DNA profile.