BRAINCAKEPaternity Testing
DNA profiling can show whether a man is the biological father of a child.
The principle
A child inherits one allele at each STR locus from the mother and one from the father. So every band in a child's DNA profile must be present in either the mother's profile or the biological father's profile.
Method
1. DNA profiles are produced for the child, the mother and each possible father, usually from cheek swabs.
2. Any bands in the child's profile that match the mother's are identified.
3. The remaining bands must have come from the father. Each possible father's profile is checked for these bands.
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Key terms in this lesson
- short tandem repeat
- A short DNA sequence of a few bases repeated many times in a row at a particular locus, with the number of repeats varying between individuals.
More in Gene Sequencing
- DNA Sequencing
- Using DNA Sequencing
- Using DNA Sequencing to Manage Disease
- Introns and Satellite DNA
- DNA Profiles
- Gel Electrophoresis
- Southern Blotting and Gene Probes
- Forensic Science
All 12 lessons in Gene Sequencing · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics