A DNA microarray (also called a DNA chip)can be used to ________.
A) mutate genes of interest
B) isolate genes from eukaryotic cell nuclei
C) assay protein output from a genomic database
D) trap genes that are both active and inactive
E) scan a population of nucleic acids for abundance and mutations

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A DNA microarray is a powerful tool that can scan a population of nucleic acids for abundance and mutations. It is used for gene expression profiling, identifying genes that are differentially expressed in different tissues or under different conditions, and for identifying mutations or polymorphisms associated with disease. It works by hybridizing small pieces of DNA or RNA (probes) to large arrays of thousands or millions of DNA or RNA sequences (targets) immobilized on a solid support (e.g., glass slide or silicon chip). The probes are labeled with a fluorescent dye or other detection molecule, and the intensity of the signal is proportional to the abundance of the target sequence in the sample. By comparing the signal intensity of different probes in different samples, researchers can identify genes that are up- or down-regulated, and thereby gain insights into the underlying biological processes.

A DNA Microarray (Also Called a DNA Chip)can Be Used