Question

DNA probe is used for
(a)DNA fingerprinting
(b) Detection of pathogenic bacteria
(c)Medical genetics to find whether a person carries a particular gene or not
(d)All of the above

Answer 1

Hint These are stretches of single strands of DNA that are mainly used to identify the presence of complementary nucleic acid sequences or target sequences by using the hybridization process.

Complete answer:
The DNA probe is used for DNA fingerprinting, detection of pathogenic bacteria, and also medical genetics to find whether a person carries a particular gene or not.DNA probes are found usually labeled, with radioisotopes, epitopes, biotin, or fluorophores to enable their detection.
A probe is a radioactively labeled DNA variable in length usually 100-1000 bases long. This can also be used in DNA samples to detect the presence of nucleotide sequences, the target DNA that is complementary to the sequence in the probe.

Additional Information:
-For the identification of DNA fragments samples sorted by gel electrophoresis and Southern blotting the probes are used in DNA fingerprinting.
-Over the nylon surface, the radioactive probes are washed to allow their joining to any DNA fragments of the same composition thereby matching different DNA samples.
-The presence of even a single gene defect in a fetus can be diagnosed by using disease-specific probes. This kind of diagnosis is known as the antenatal diagnosis.
-For the detection of the presence of pathogens in individuals probes specific to pathogenic bacteria are used.
-In studying gene transfer and mechanisms of adaptation in natural bacterial communities and in the laboratory, the DNA gene probes may become extremely useful.
-This technology helps in the detection of specific gene sequences in bacterial species and this can be used to find out and monitor recombinant DNA clones in microorganisms, being considered for release into the natural environment.
-It may provide a new generation of highly specific tests that offers advantages over the classical approaches for identifying specific organisms.

So, the correct answer is ‘All of the above’.

Note:
-For the identification of DNA fragments samples sorted by gel electrophoresis and Southern blotting the probes are used in DNA fingerprinting.
-The presence of even a single gene defect in a fetus can be diagnosed by using disease-specific probes. This kind of diagnosis is known as the antenatal diagnosis.
-The probing technology helps in the detection of specific gene sequences in bacterial species and this can be used to find out and monitor recombinant DNA clones in microorganisms, being considered for release into the natural environment.