Page 13 - An Identity Crisis
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Glossary
AGAROSE: A molecule purified from seaweed that FORENSIC: Relating to the application of scientific
is used for the electrophoretic separation of nucleic knowledge to legal cases. From Latin forensis for
acids. “belonging to the forum,” ancient Rome’s site for
public debate. Currently meaning pertaining to
ALLELE: One of two or more alternative forms of the courts, thus, forensic testimony or forensic
a gene that exist at a specific gene location on a medicine are used to assist the court or the
chromosome. attorneys in legal matters, including trials.
BASE: A letter in the DNA alphabet, either adenine GEL: A gelatin-like material formed from long
(A), thymine (T), guanine (G), or cytosine (C). molecules (polymers) of agarose which trap liquid
within a matrix.
BAND: A discrete length of DNA that is visualized
on a gel when the DNA in the gel is stained. GENE: A discrete unit of hereditary information
that is located on the chromosomes and consists of
BUFFER: A solution made of acids and their DNA. Genes can have many alleles.
conjugate bases that is used to maintain the ph of a
system. HETEROZYGOUS: Having two different alleles for
a given trait, one from each parent.
CHROMOSOME: A linear strand of DNA and
proteins in the nucleus of a cell. Chromosomes HOMOZYGOUS: Having the same allele twice for a
given trait.
carry genes and function in the transmission of
hereditary information. Chromosomes exist as LOAD: Placing the DNA sample in the well of the
pairs, with one coming from each parent.
agarose gel with the pipet.
COMB: A piece of plastic, shaped like a comb, that PCR: The Polymerase Chain Reaction, a technique
generates loading wells in agarose gels. used to amplify regions within small amounts of
DNA by copying those regions many times.
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a
doublestranded, helical nucleic acid molecule that PIPETTE: A device used to pick up and deliver a
is the carrier of genetic information. precisely measured amount of liquid.
ELECTROPHORESIS: When an agarose gel is TIPS: A small, disposable piece of plastic which
placed in buffer, DNA samples are placed in wells, fits onto a pipet. The tips are changed to prevent
and an electrical current is passed through the gel samples from cross-contamination.
to pull the DNA through the gel. Smaller molecules
pass through easily and move away from the wells WELL: Small rectangular hole in an agarose gel left
the fastest, thus sorting the DNA sample by size. by comb. Each DNA sample is loaded in a well.
THE MYSTERY OF LYLE AND LOUISE 13
