Scientists have reportedly isolated short fragments of DNA from fossilized dinosaur bones hundreds of millions of years old. The technique used to isolate this DNA is the polymerase chain reaction, which is capable of amplifying very small amounts of DNA a millionfold. Critics have claimed that the DNA isolated from dinosaur bones is not purely of ancient origin, but instead has been contaminated by DNA from present-day organisms such as bacteria, mold, or humans. What precautions, analyses, and control experiments could be carried out to ensure that DNA recovered from fossils is truly of ancient origin?

Scientists have reportedly isolated short fragments of DNA from fossilized dinosaur bones hundreds of millions of years old. The technique used to isolate this DNA is the polymerase chain reaction, which is capable of amplifying very small amounts of DNA a millionfold. Critics have claimed that the DNA isolated from dinosaur bones is not purely of ancient origin, but instead has been contaminated by DNA from present-day organisms such as bacteria, mold, or humans. What precautions, analyses, and control experiments could be carried out to ensure that DNA recovered from fossils is truly of ancient origin?

Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Course List)

11th Edition

ISBN:9781305251052

Author:Michael Cummings

Publisher:Michael Cummings

Chapter15: Genomes And Genomics

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 6QP: Which of the following best describes the process of DNA sequencing? a. DNA is separated on a gel,...

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Which of the following most accurately describes the process of DNA cloning? set of laboratory procedures that consist of cutting a segment of DNA with restriction enzymes set of laboratory procedures that uses living cells to mass-produce specific DNA fragments set of laboratory procedures by which a DNA fragment is transferred from a living organism to a SNP chip the manipulation of DNA fragments in a laboratory using modern techniques of molecular biology set of laboratory procedures that consist of isolating of a DNA fragment from a living organism and inserting it into a plasmid
Any molecular project, whether it be genetic engineering, phylogenetics, population genetics, disease investigation, or drug design almost always starts with the same basic requirement, needing to isolate a piece of DNA or RNA to start with. After this, one needs to understand amplification and sequencing using the process of PCR. Given its foundational importance, all biology students should be required to complete a certificate showing competency in PCR before they are allowed to graduate. Agree/Disagree? Answer with explanation here:
Given the situation: A paleontologist has recovered a tiny bit of organic material fromthe 400-year-old preserved skin of an extinct dodo. She would like to compare DNA from the sample with DNA from living birds.Which of the following would be most useful for increasing theamount of DNA available for testing? Option a.) restriction fragment analysis Option b.) polymerase chain reaction Option c.) electrophoresis
Cloning Genes Is a Multistep Process In cloning human DNA, why is it necessary to insert the DNA into a vector such as a bacterial plasmid?
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