SC160 Assignment 8

Biology is a practical science that enables one to apply in real life situation, the biological skills are every important in scientific research. In the recent years biological skills have proved to be important in researches, the knowledge is being utilized to get solutions for different problems at hand. A. The Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is found in all organisms cell, it is an organic polymer with a phosphate backbone, the nitrogenous base and the deoxyribose sugar. Its coding for protein helps in protein making while its complementarity nature aids in DNA testing. Forensic scientist have utilized DNA techniques in distinguishing DNA samples between individuals for example hairs or saliva, semen , blood sample from a crime scene and even traces of skin on victims fingernails. Luftig & Richey (2010) point out the techniques used; at first there was Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RELP) whereby restriction enzymes split DNA into small pieces. Then came Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in 1986 that changed the forensic science, it allowed the amplification of DNA. Lastly there is mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing. The technique is able to differentiate the difference even between distorted DNA samples because of the presence of mitochondria. The technology of DNA in forensic science has been applied in solving parental dispute, solving murder crimes and comparing samples that may have been found at crime scene.