Restriction Enzymes and DNA Fingerprinting
The molecular structure of the Bg II restriction enzyme as reconstructed by computer models.Copyright Leeds University http://www.astbury.leeds.ac.uk/gallery/leedspix.html
The discovery of restriction enzymes and their applications in DNA analysis has proven to be essential for biologists and chemists. This lesson focuses on restriction enzymes and their applications to DNA analysis and DNA fingerprinting. Use this lesson and its associated activity in conjunction with biology lessons on DNA analysis and DNA replication.
Microfluidics concepts and devices used to study colloidal particle flow are employed by biologists to study and filter biomolecules. Gel electrophoresis is one example of the many and creative engineering applications that are used by scientists to compare fragments of DNA samples.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Describe the basic steps involved in DNA fingerprinting.
- Explain the function of restriction enzymes and the role of restriction sites along the DNA.
- Explain how DNA fragments are charged molecules.
- Explain that the distance traveled by DNA fragments inside a gel tray depends on fragment length
- Explain that the DNA (genetic code) from related organisms contain similar restriction sites and related DNA are cut into similar fragments by the same restrictions enzymes.