Satellite DNA is useful tool in: [2010] a. organ transplantation b. sex determination c. forensic science d. genetic engineering
Option C About 3% or so of the human genome has highly repetitive sequences or simple-sequence DNA or simple sequence repeats or satellite DNA. It does not encode proteins or RNAs but have identifiable functional importance owing to their presence in centromeres and telomeres; which makes option B wrong as genetic engineering mainly aims at transfer of genes producing desired products. Satellite DNA show relative uniformity within species and great variability between closely related species. This DNA polymorphism is revealed during DNA finger printing in identification of suspect. For the purpose, restriction enzyme digested DNA samples are sorted by gel electrophoresis followed by southern blotting. Finally, radioactive probes are washed over the nylon surface to allow their joining to any DNA fragments of same composition.