7.1

• Genome


  The complete set of genetic information contained in the cells of an organism
• DNA sequencing


  Identifying the base sequence of a DNA fragment
• Amplifying DNA fragments using PCR

  1. Heated to break apart the DNA strands

  2. Cooled to allow primers to bind

  3. Heated again to activate DNA polymerase and allow free nucleotides to join

  4. New DNA acts as template for next cycle
• Reaction mixture in first stage of PCR

  • Contains the DNA fragment to be amplified, primers that are complementary to the start of the fragment, free nucleotides to match up to exposed bases, and DNA polymerase to create the new DNA
• Uses of DNA sequencing in medicine

  
  

  To screen for heritable conditions, when the base sequence of an allele/gene is known we can test to see if that allele/gene is present
• Uses of DNA sequencing in forensics


  • To compare DNA obtained during crime investigations against the DNA of victims or suspects, in order to identify them or discount them
• Other uses of DNA sequencing

  • To predict the amino acid sequence of proteins
  • To test relatedness of two individuals, including paternity testing