In early forensic applications of DNA fingerprinting, DNA was extracted from crime scene material, digested with restriction enzymes, and then used to prepare a Southern blot. Today, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used in the early steps of forensic DNA analysis. Which of the following is an advantage that PCR provides over the former method?
A) PCR produces many more bands for fingerprint analysis, making it a more informative technique.
B) PCR can cut DNA at many more sites than can restriction enzymes.
C) PCR requires much less DNA for analysis.
D) PCR can analyze DNA, proteins, and carbohydrates, whereas restriction enzyme analysis is limited to DNA.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

PCR requires much less DNA for analysis compared to the former method, which is an advantage in forensic analysis where the amount of DNA available from the crime scene may be limited. This allows for more sensitive and specific analysis of DNA samples. The other choices are incorrect as PCR does not necessarily produce more bands, it does not cut DNA like restriction enzymes, and it is limited to DNA analysis like restriction enzyme analysis.

In Early Forensic Applications of DNA Fingerprinting, DNA Was Extracted