Question

Satellite DNA is useful tool in
A. Genetic engineering
B. Organ transplantation
C. Sex determination
D.Forensic science

Answer 1

Hint: Satellite DNA is a highly repetitive, non-coding DNA that shows uniformity within species and great variability between closely related species. This DNA has been used for DNA fingerprinting to produce unique DNA profiles of individuals that will help to solve criminal cases, maternity disputes, etc.

Complete answer:
Option (A) is incorrect. Genetic engineering or gene manipulation technique is used to transfer genes within and across the species boundaries to produce improved or new organisms of interest. This technique does not make use of satellite DNA.
Option (B) is incorrect. Organ transplantation is a surgical procedure that involves extracting a healthy organ from a donor and inserting it in the body of the recipient, to replace the organ that is damaged or missing.
Option (C) is incorrect. The sex-determination system is used to determine the sexual characteristics of an organism. In many species, sex-determination is genetic i.e., males and females have different alleles that determine their sexual appearance while in other cases; the sex of a fetus is determined by environmental variables.
Option (D) is correct. Applying science to criminal and civil laws is forensic science. The field of forensic science highly depends on the DNA fingerprinting technique that makes use of satellite DNA to identify the criminal during a criminal investigation and also to settle disputes of maternity.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: DNA fingerprinting technique was first developed in 1984 by Alec Jeffrey. This technique makes use of satellite DNA or VNTR (Variable Number of Tandem Repeats) probes. Apart from being used in the field of forensic science, this technique also has been applied to the field of medical diagnostics, archaeology, paleontology, etc.