DNA VOCABULARY

DNA (Term & Define)-Deoxyribonucleic Acid, a self-replicating material that is present in nearly all living
organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.

Chromosome-a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells,
carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

Protein-made by linking a combination of amino acids

Amino Acids-molecules that combine to form proteins

Nitrogenous Bases-Adenine, Thmine, Cytosine and Guanine

mtDNA-DNA found in the mitochondria organelle of each cell

Nuclear DNA- DNA found in all body cells

PCR (Term & Define)-Polymerase Chain Reaction, This technique replaced RFLP and is designed to copy
or multiply DNA strands outside of the cell

RFLP (Term & Define)-Restriction Fragment Length Polymer, Portions of the DNA molecule contains
sequences of letters that are repeated numerous times.

STR (Term & Define)-Short Tandem Repeats, Most current method of DNA Profiling - Only uses 1/100th
amount required for RFLP analysis

CODIS-Combined DNA Index System, a computer software program that operates local, state, and
national databases of DNA profiles from convicted offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence, and
missing persons.

DNA Fingerprint-Analysts use polymorphisms to distinguish one person from another