How is DNA sequencing different from DNA fingerprinting?
DNA sequencing is a technique for determining the complete sequence of bases (As, Ts, Gs, and Cs) for a particular piece of DNA. A genome project is the sequencing of a complete genome (all the DNA in one human being, dog, fly, worm, plant, etc.). Sequencing is relatively time consuming as the process must be done to fairly short lengths of DNA at a time. DNA fingerprinting looks for a specific, short sequence of DNA across the genome and compares the number and locations of this sequence between different individuals. It is a technique for identifying individuals and associating relatives. DNA fingerprinting provides a relatively small amount of information about overall DNA sequences. View the animation below, then complete the quiz to test your knowledge of the concept.
