1. DNA Fingerprinting

2. Using DNA Analysis for Evolutionary Evidence
All living things contain DNA… therefore we can use DNA as a tool to analyze how closely related two species are
The more DNA segments two organisms have in common… the more closely related they are.
Often individual proteins are analyzed for their similarity
Ex. Hemoglobin

3. What is DNA Fingerprinting?
A technique used by scientists to distinguish between individuals of the same species using only samples of their DNA
DNA fingerprinting was invented by Alec Jeffreys in 1985.
There are 4 steps to this process

4. Step 1: Extract DNA can be extracted from….. Any cell that has DNA
Blood, muscle, bone, other tissues

5. Step 2: Cut DNA
The DNA is cut into fragments using restriction enzymes.
Each restriction enzyme cuts DNA at a specific base sequence.
For example: GAATTC. Since this one is staggered it is called a sticky end!

6. Step 3: Separate DNA on a gel electrophoresis machine.
DNA fragments are injected into wells and an electric current is applied along the gel.
DNA is negatively charged so it is attracted to the positive end of the gel.
The shorter DNA fragments move faster than the longer fragments.

7. Gels after current has passed through them, producing different fragments of DNA.

8. Step 4: Analyze DNA
Bands of DNA are compared on the gel after electrophoresis is complete
Matching bands indicate common segments of DNA between the two samples analyzed
Same pieces of DNA cut by the same restriction enzyme
We will be using DNA fingerprinting to identify species and how closely related they are. It is most often used in forensic science and the analysis of crime scene evidence.

9. Was the suspect at the crime scene?
Suspects Profile
Blood sample from crime scene
Victims profile

10. Is this man the father of the child?
Mother
Child
Man

11. DNA Fingerprinting can solve crimes
The pattern of the DNA profile is then compared with those of the victim and the suspect.
A match = suspect was present at crime scene.
Doesn’t match = suspect may be eliminated as a suspect.
The DNA profile of each individual is highly specific.
The chances of two people having exactly the same DNA profile is 30,000 million to 1 (except for identical twins).