Question 1

The DNA profiling database maintained by the FBI is called ________.
A) GenBank
B) the Human Genome Project
C) CODIS
D) APHIS
E) the Innocence Project

Accepted Answer

The FBI maintains a DNA profiling database called CODIS (Combined DNA Index System). GenBank is a publicly available DNA sequence database, the Human Genome Project conducted research to determine the sequence of the entire human genome, APHIS is the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the Innocence Project is a nonprofit legal organization that works to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals.

Question 2

The best way to determine paternity is with ________.
A) an RFLP analysis of the entire genome
B) a PCR of the X chromosome
C) a histochemistry workup
D) Y-chromosome analysis
E) blood cell analysis

Accepted Answer

Y-chromosome analysis is the best way to determine paternity as it provides a direct way to compare the genetic information of the father and the child. The Y chromosome is passed down from father to son and remains largely unchanged over generations, allowing for a reliable method of comparison.

Question 3

The physical location of a gene on a chromosome is a gene's ________.
A) genome
B) telomere
C) locus
D) allele
E) None of these choices

Accepted Answer

The physical location of a gene on a chromosome is referred to as a gene's locus.

Question 4

The Innocence Project is an effort to use DNA evidence ________.
A) to convict the accused
B) for paternity testing
C) to exonerate convicted individuals
D) for the identification of remains
E) to study familial inheritance

Accepted Answer

The Innocence Project is specifically focused on using DNA evidence to exonerate convicted individuals who may have been wrongfully accused or convicted of crimes.

Question 5

The source of most mitochondrial DNA an organism inherits is ________.
A) the nucleus of the sperm
B) the nucleus of the egg
C) the cytoplasm of the sperm
D) the cytoplasm of the egg
E) None of these choices

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrial DNA is only inherited from the cytoplasm of the egg cell during fertilization. The cytoplasm of the sperm does not contribute any mitochondria to the offspring.

Question 6

How many unique STR regions does the FBI use in forensic analysis?
A) 1
B) 5
C) 13
D) 50
E) 100+

Accepted Answer

The FBI uses 13 unique STR regions in forensic analysis, which are commonly referred to as the CODIS core loci. These regions are highly variable between individuals and allow for accurate identification and differentiation of DNA samples. The use of multiple STR regions helps to reduce the likelihood of a coincidental match between two individuals who share the same genetic profile at a single locus.

Question 7

Which of the following techniques is most commonly used to separate DNA molecules by size?
A) PCR
B) RFLP
C) Chromatography
D) DNA sequencing
E) Gel electrophoresis

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis is the most commonly used technique to separate DNA molecules by size. This technique uses an agarose gel matrix and an electric current to separate DNA fragments based on their size and charge. The smaller fragments move faster through the gel, while the larger fragments move slower, resulting in separation by size.

Question 8

The Frye standard is ________. A) a method for determining paternity B) set to follow federal rules 402, 403, and 404 C) a means to allow controversial new scientific testing to be used in court if the foundation is solid D) using methods that are tested and have gained general acceptance from the scientific community E) a method that requires pretrial hearings to occur for scientific evidence

Accepted Answer

The Frye standard is a method that requires using methods that are tested and have gained general acceptance from the scientific community. It is specifically related to the admissibility of expert testimony based on scientific evidence in court.

Question 9

Which scientist is credited with the first example of using DNA fingerprinting evidence to solve a crime?
A) Francis Crick
B) Alex Jefferies
C) Kary Mullis
D) Colin Pitchfork
E) Barry Sheck

Accepted Answer

Alex Jefferies is credited with the first example of using DNA fingerprinting evidence to solve a crime in 1986, when he used DNA testing to exonerate a suspect in a rape and murder case in England. Colin Pitchfork became the first person ever to be convicted of a crime using DNA evidence, based on Jefferies' DNA fingerprinting technique. Francis Crick is known for co-discovering the structure of DNA, Kary Mullis is known for inventing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Barry Sheck is known for his work with the Innocence Project to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals using DNA evidence.

Question 10

________ are tandemly repeated sequences of DNA also called short tandem repeats.
A) VNTRs
B) Microsatellites
C) Minisatellites
D) Telomeres
E) Centromeres

Accepted Answer

Microsatellites are also called short tandem repeats (STRs). VNTRs (A) and minisatellites (C) are longer tandem repeats. Telomeres (D) are repetitive sequences found at the ends of chromosomes and centromeres (E) are regions of DNA that hold sister chromatids together during cell division.

Question 11

DNA is present in all of the following human cell types except ________.
A) skin cells
B) erythrocytes (mature red blood cells)
C) leukocytes (white blood cells)
D) hair
E) buccal (cheek) cells

Accepted Answer

Mature red blood cells (erythrocytes) do not contain a nucleus or organelles, including DNA.

Question 12

VNTR analysis involves ________.
A) cutting DNA with restriction enzyme and analyzing the banding pattern of fragments
B) PCR amplification of specific genes
C) analyzing specific loci for 2 base repeating units usually less than 100 bp in size
D) analyzing specific loci for 2 to 4 bp repeating units
E) None of these choices

Accepted Answer

VNTR (Variable Number Tandem Repeats) analysis involves cutting DNA with restriction enzymes and then analyzing the banding pattern of the fragments through techniques such as gel electrophoresis. This method is based on the variation in the number of tandem repeats at specific loci in the genome among individuals, which produces a unique pattern of DNA fragments.

Question 13

Single-stranded DNA molecules that can bind to and be used to detect other DNA molecules are called ________.
A) primers
B) probes
C) RFLPs
D) STRs
E) LINES

Accepted Answer

Single-stranded DNA molecules that can bind to and be used to detect other DNA molecules are called probes. Primers are short nucleotide sequences used to initiate DNA synthesis during PCR. RFLPs (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms) and STRs (Short Tandem Repeats) are types of genetic markers used in DNA profiling. LINES (Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements) are a type of transposable element in DNA.

Question 14

One of the biggest problems with using DNA forensic analyses to solve crimes is ________.
A) reliable technology
B) sample contamination
C) electrophoresis errors
D) RFLP classification
E) the lack of computer technology

Accepted Answer

Sample contamination is a significant issue in DNA forensic analyses as it can lead to false results and misidentification of suspects. Contamination can occur through various means, including mishandling of samples, improper storage, and transfer of DNA from other sources. It is crucial to maintain strict protocols to minimize contamination and ensure the accuracy and reliability of forensic DNA evidence.

Question 15

The Coppolino standard is ________. A) a method for determining paternity B) set to follow federal rules 402, 403, and 404 C) a means to allow controversial new scientific testing to be used in court if the foundation is solid D) using methods that are tested and have gained general acceptance from the scientific community E) a method that requires pretrial hearings to occur for scientific evidence

Accepted Answer

The Coppolino standard allows for the use of new and potentially controversial scientific testing in court proceedings, provided that the foundational basis for the evidence is solidly established. This approach emphasizes the reliability of the underlying science rather than its general acceptance within the scientific community.

Question 16

A repeated sequence, which, for example, can be 10 copies of the sequence TTA, is called a ________.
A) VNTR
B) RFLP
C) STR
D) HPLC
E) PCR

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a short tandem repeat (STR), which is a type of polymorphism used in DNA profiling. VNTRs and RFLPs are also types of polymorphisms used in DNA profiling, but they are not examples of repeated sequences. HPLC is a technique used for separating and analyzing molecules, and PCR is a technique used for amplifying DNA.

Question 17

Variations in restriction enzyme-cutting patterns of DNA from different individuals are called ________.
A) STRs
B) VNTRs
C) RFLPs
D) microsatellites
E) minisatellites

Accepted Answer

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs) refer to variations in the lengths of DNA fragments produced by the action of restriction enzymes on the genomic DNA of different individuals. This length variation results in unique cutting patterns of DNA fragments, which can be visualized and compared using gel electrophoresis. The other options (STRs, VNTRs, microsatellites, and minisatellites) also refer to variations in DNA sequences but involve different types of repetitive DNA sequences and are not necessarily associated with restriction enzyme cutting patterns.

Question 18

The Daubert standard is ________. A) a method for determining paternity B) set to follow federal rules 402, 403, and 404 C) a means to allow controversial new scientific testing to be used in court if the foundation is solid D) using methods that are tested and have gained general acceptance from the scientific community E) a method that requires pretrial hearings to occur for scientific evidence

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Daubert standard is ________. A) a method...

Question 19

Which technique uses the least amount of sample needed for forensic analysis?
A) PCR
B) RFLP
C) Genomic DNA
D) cDNA isolation
E) Southern blot

Accepted Answer

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a technique using small amounts of DNA replication to create large amounts of DNA for analysis. It is commonly used in forensic analysis because it requires the smallest amount of sample compared to other DNA analysis techniques such as RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) and Southern blot. Genomic DNA and cDNA isolation also require larger amounts of sample compared to PCR.

Question 20

Which of the following cell types would not be suitable for DNA fingerprinting?
A) Skin cells
B) Erythrocytes (mature red blood cells)
C) Leukocytes (white blood cells)
D) Hair
E) Buccal (cheek) cells

Accepted Answer

Erythrocytes (mature red blood cells) do not have a nucleus and, therefore, do not contain DNA. This makes them unsuitable for DNA fingerprinting.

Quiz 8: Dna Fingerprinting and Forensic Analysis

The DNA profiling database maintained by the FBI is called ________.

The best way to determine paternity is with ________.

The physical location of a gene on a chromosome is a gene's ________.

The Innocence Project is an effort to use DNA evidence ________.

The source of most mitochondrial DNA an organism inherits is ________.

How many unique STR regions does the FBI use in forensic analysis?

Which of the following techniques is most commonly used to separate DNA molecules by size?

The Frye standard is ________.

Which scientist is credited with the first example of using DNA fingerprinting evidence to solve a crime?

________ are tandemly repeated sequences of DNA also called short tandem repeats.

DNA is present in all of the following human cell types except ________.

VNTR analysis involves ________.

Single-stranded DNA molecules that can bind to and be used to detect other DNA molecules are called ________.

One of the biggest problems with using DNA forensic analyses to solve crimes is ________.

The Coppolino standard is ________.

A repeated sequence, which, for example, can be 10 copies of the sequence TTA, is called a ________.

Variations in restriction enzyme-cutting patterns of DNA from different individuals are called ________.

The Daubert standard is ________.

Which technique uses the least amount of sample needed for forensic analysis?

Which of the following cell types would not be suitable for DNA fingerprinting?