DNA Paternity Tests
What is DNA?
Interesting Fact!
If all the DNA strands in your body
DNA, which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, is a string of molecules
were lined up, end to end, it would be
which represent you. It is present in almost all organisms and it is the
6000 million miles long.
carrier of genetic information. Almost every single cell in an organism
has the same DNA. DNA is usually found in the nucleus of a cell.
What are the different parts of DNA?
There are six different molecules that come together to form a DNA strand. They are:
- A sugar called deoxyribose
- A phosphate molecule
- Four different nitrogenous bases
o Adenine
o Thymine
o Cytosine
o Guanine
DNA’s structure is called a double helix. It looks like a twisted ladder. The
rails of the ladder, called the DNA backbone, are made up of deoxyribose
molecules and phosphate molecules. The steps of the ladder are made up of
two nitrogenous bases joined together. Each nitrogenous base only bonds
with another specific nitrogenous base. Adenine only bonds with Guanine DNA is made of a sugar and a phosphate,
along with four different nitrogenous bases
and Thymine only bonds with Cytosine. and is twisted into a double helix.
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DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that is the carrier of genetic information.
What are chromosomes?
Chromosomes are structures where DNA is tightly wound around proteins
called histones. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46
individual chromosomes. Everyone receives 23 chromosomes from their
mother and 23 chromosomes from their father. A picture of someone’s
chromosomes is called a karyotype. Chromosome 23 is referred to as the sex
chromosome as it determines the gender of the person. All other chromosomes
are referred to as autosomes.
DNA is tightly wound around histones,
What are DNA Paternity Tests? creating chromosomes
DNA paternity tests are tests conducted to determine the biological father of a child. The test requires
either buccal cells, which are cells from the inside of someone’s cheek, or some blood from the potential
biological father and child. They are conducted when there is uncertainty about who the biological father
of a child is.
How do DNA Paternity Tests work?
DNA Paternity tests work by using a technique called DNA profiling, also called genetic fingerprinting.
The general steps are:
1. Collect DNA sample: This is done by collecting a sample from both the potential biological
father and the child, and then extracting the DNA from the sample collected.
2. Amplify the significant regions of DNA: The significant regions of DNA can be amplified using
a method called PCR, which stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction. Scientists use this technique
to locate and examine specific locations in the DNA, also known as loci. The different loci are
then amplified to create many copies.
3. Compare: The scientists compare loci from the two different DNA samples and conduct a
statistical analysis to determine whether one of the DNA samples is from the biological father.
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Chromosomes: DNA that is tightly wound around histones.
Karyotype: A picture of all the chromosomes
DNA paternity test: Tests conducted to determine the child’s biological father.
Reading Comprehension Questions:
1. What is DNA?
DNA which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid is the genetic information of an individual. It is found in
every organism and almost in every cell of the organism.
2. What are the six different molecules in DNA?
The six different molecules that form DNA include deoxyribose, a phosphate molecule and the four
nitrogen bases: Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and Thymine.
3. What are chromosomes?
They are thread like structures found inside the nucleus which contain genes.
4. What is a karyotype?
Karyotype refers to a picture of all the chromosomes.
5. What is compared between potential biological father DNA and child DNA?
Scientists compare loci (specific locations in the DNA) from the different DNA samples to conclude
whether one of the DNA samples is from the biological father.
Extension Questions:
6. Using your resources, list the number of chromosomes for a cat, snail, cabbage, and Tasmanian
devil.
Number of chromosomes for a cat: 38 chromosomes
Number of chromosomes for a snail: 24 chromosomes
Number of chromosomes for a cabbage: 18 chromosomes
Number of chromosomes for a Tasmanian devil: 14 chromosomes
References
Adams, J. (n.d.). Paternity Testing: Blood Types and DNA. Retrieved from
http://www.nature.com.proxy.library.vcu.edu/scitable/topicpage/paternity-testing-blood-
types-and-dna-374
Boise State. (n.d.). The structure of DNA. Retrieved from
http://cs.boisestate.edu/~amit/teaching/342/lab/structure.html
DNA Testing Process - How Does DNA Testing Work? (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.healthlinkdna.com/how-does-dna-testing-work/
How DNA Profiling Works | Grow – Wisconsin's Magazine for the Life Sciences. (n.d.). Retrieved
from http://grow.cals.wisc.edu/health/how-dna-profiling-works
University of Leicester. (n.d.). DNA, genes and chromosomes — University of Leicester. Retrieved
from https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/genetics/vgec/highereducation/topics/
dnageneschromosomes
What is DNA? - Genetics Home Reference. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/basics/dna
