Alyson Smoot

1/22/15
Period 4A
DNA
DNA fingerprinting can be helpful in many ways. DNA
fingerprinting is the analysis of DNA from samples of body tissue of
fluids in order to identify individuals. It shows who the parents are to
each child. Each person has a unique DNA fingerprint. This can also be
called DNA typing, which is a method of isolating and making images
of sequences of DNA. DNA fingerprints can be used for a way of
identifying a specific individual rather than simply identifying a species
or some particular trait.
There is a big process of producing a DNA fingerprint, such as
electrophoresis. The first thing you have to do is pour restriction
enzymes into DNA. The restriction enzyme turns the DNA pink and cuts
like DNA. Second, you would pour agarose gel into a tray on lab
counter. This allows small pieces of DNA to move through more easily
than larger pieces. Third, pour the DNA into the tray. Fourth, you would
turn on switch to begin electrophoresis. After the electrophoresis is
done, the fragments are distributed in the gel according to their
lengths. Fifth, you would place nylon membrane on top of the gel,
which sucks up the DNA. Sixth, you would add probes to nylon
membrane. The last step would be placing X-ray film on top of nylon
membrane and then developing film by dragging it to the developer.
The real process of DNA fingerprinting was different from what
we did in class. First off, we didnt use real DNA, so it might not be
really accurate. Also we had to make the gel and we used a salt water
buffer which contains salt and it allows electricity to go through it.
Then, we had to set up the gel apparatus. The buffer in this step
conducts the electrical current. After that, we had to load the DNA
sample into the gel and then hook up the electrical current and run the
gel through the thing. The last thing we did was staining the gel and
analyzes the results.
DNA fingerprinting can have advantages and disadvantages
when doing it or with the outcome. One major advantage was that it
can be easily processed when doing it. Another advantage is that DNA
molecule is used as a sample but it doesnt denature samples. The last
advantage I have is that it can be recovered without any harm to it at
the end of the process. On the other hand, the major disadvantage is
that it may melt when the electric current is passed through it. Also
some other disadvantages are that the genetic material can adopt the
shapes which are not needed, and the buffer can become exhausted

during the process or after. Lastly, the gel can be stored in a plastic
bag in the refrigerator.
The modern technique used now is called DNA identification. This
has become a useful tool that the forensic investors use. Although it
basically does the same stuff, it has a different name for the modern
days. DNA identification helps look at a persons DNA sample to give a
unique genetic record that can be compared to DNA collected from
crime scene evidence. You can use this when working at a crime scene
and trying to find out whose fingerprint was on the stuff at the place. It
can be produced from trace evidence. DNA identification continues to
evolve and improve over time, and it provides more information than a
traditional fingerprint.