Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

18. Biotechnology

DNA Fingerprinting

General Biology

18. Biotechnology

DNA Fingerprinting

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3:51 minutes

Problem 8

Textbook Question

A friend who works in a research lab performed a GWAS and discovered a tight association between a SNP allele and the disease she is studying. She concluded that the SNP allele must be the mutation that causes the disease. Explain why she is likely to be wrong.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism): SNPs are variations at a single position in DNA among individuals. They are the most common type of genetic variation in humans.

Recognize the nature of GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Studies): GWAS are studies that involve scanning markers across the genomes of many people to find genetic variations associated with a particular disease. However, these studies only show associations and do not prove causation.

Consider Linkage Disequilibrium: SNPs found to be associated with a disease in GWAS may be in linkage disequilibrium with the actual causal mutation. This means the SNP is near the true causal genetic variant and inherited together with it, but is not itself the cause of the disease.

Evaluate the need for further research: To establish causality, further studies such as functional genomics or experimental validation are needed. These studies can help determine if the SNP directly affects the biological pathway of the disease.

Explore alternative explanations: It's also possible that multiple SNPs or a combination of genetic and environmental factors contribute to the disease, rather than a single SNP being the sole cause.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS)

GWAS are research methods used to identify genetic variants associated with specific diseases by scanning the genomes of many individuals. They focus on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to find correlations between genetic variations and phenotypic traits. However, GWAS can only show associations, not causation, meaning that while a SNP may be linked to a disease, it does not necessarily mean it causes the disease.

Causation vs. Correlation

Causation refers to a direct cause-and-effect relationship, while correlation indicates a statistical association between two variables without implying that one causes the other. In the context of GWAS, a SNP may correlate with a disease, but other factors, such as environmental influences or nearby genes, could be responsible for the observed association, leading to potential misinterpretation of the SNP's role.

Genetic Heterogeneity

Genetic heterogeneity occurs when a single phenotype or disease can be caused by different genetic mutations or variations. In diseases, multiple SNPs or other genetic factors may contribute to the same condition, complicating the interpretation of GWAS results. This means that the identified SNP allele may be associated with the disease but not be the sole cause, as other genetic or environmental factors could also play significant roles.

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Textbook Question

Imagine you have found a small quantity of DNA. Fill in the following diagram, which outlines a series of DNA technology experiments you could perform to study this DNA.

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Textbook Question

The DNA profiles used as evidence in a murder trial look something like supermarket bar codes. The pattern of bars in a DNA profile shows

a. The order of bases in a particular gene.

b. The presence of various-sized fragments of DNA.

c. The presence of dominant or recessive alleles for particular traits.

d. The order of genes along particular chromosomes.

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Textbook Question

A paleontologist has recovered a bit of tissue from the 400-year-old preserved skin of an extinct dodo (a bird). To compare a specific region of the DNA from a sample with DNA from living birds, which of the following would be most useful for increasing the amount of dodo DNA available for testing?

a. SNP analysis

b. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

c. Electroporation

d. Gel electrophoresis

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Textbook Question

Why does DNA profiling rely on comparing specific genetic markers rather than the entire genome?

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Textbook Question

A friend who works in a research lab performed a GWAS and discovered a tight association between a SNP allele and the disease she is studying. She concluded that the SNP allele must be the mutation that causes the disease. Explain why she is likely to be wrong.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is not part of the procedure used to make a DNA profile?

a. Short tandem repeat sequences are amplified by PCR.

b. DNA is placed in a gel and subjected to an electric current.

c. The genes that encode DNA sequence are cloned into bacteria.

d. DNA from blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or hair root cells can be used for analysis.

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Textbook Question

Revolutionaries executed Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia, along with his wife and five children, the family physician, and about a dozen servants. Many decades later, a grave said to hold the remains of the royal family was discovered. Biologists were asked to analyze DNA from the bodies. If the remains of the family were in this grave, predict how similar the DNA fingerprints would be between the parents, the children, and the unrelated individuals in the grave.