Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which aspect of DNA allows scientists to distinguish between individuals?
A
The presence of deoxyribose sugar in the backbone
B
The uniform pairing of adenine with thymine and guanine with cytosine
C
The double helix structure common to all DNA
D
The unique sequence of nucleotide bases in non-coding regions
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that DNA is composed of a sugar-phosphate backbone and nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine).
Recognize that the sugar (deoxyribose) and the double helix structure are common to all DNA molecules and do not vary between individuals.
Focus on the sequence of nucleotide bases, which can vary greatly between individuals, especially in non-coding regions of DNA.
Learn that these unique sequences in non-coding regions serve as genetic markers that allow scientists to distinguish one individual from another.
Conclude that it is the unique sequence of nucleotide bases, not the sugar, base pairing rules, or overall structure, that enables individual identification.