Complementary sequences

Complementary sequences – nucleic acid base sequences that form a doublestranded structure by matching base pairs; the complementary sequence to G-T-AC is C-A-T-G.
Controls – tests performed in parallel with experimental samples and designed to
demonstrate that a test was reliable.
Cytosine – a pyrimidine base; one of the four molecules containing nitrogen
present in the nucleic acids DNA and RNA; designated by letter C.
Degradation – the chemical or physical breaking down of DNA.
Denaturation – the process of splitting the complementary double strands of DNA
to form single strands.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) – the genetic material.
Diploid – having two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent (compare
haploid).
DNA databank (database) – a collection of DNA typing profiles of selected or
randomly chosen individuals.
DNA polymerase – an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of double stranded
DNA.
DNA sequence – the relative order of base pairs, whether in a fragment of DNA, a
gene, a chromosome, or an entire genome.
Double Helix – the shape that two linear strands of DNA assume when bonded
together.
Dye blobs – a technical artifact associated with STR testing.
Electrophoresis – a technique in which different molecules are separated by their
rate of movement in an electric field.
Enzyme – a protein that can speed up a specific chemical reaction without being
changed or consumed in the process.
Gametic (phase) equilibrium – the state of loci on different chromosomes when
the allele at one locus in the gamete varies independently of that at the other loci.
Gel – matrix (often agarose or acrylamide) used in electrophoresis to separate
molecules.
Gene – the basic unit of heredity; a sequence of DNA nucleotides on a
chromosome.
Gene frequency – the relative occurrence of a particular allele in a population.
Gene mapping – determination of the relative positions of genes on a DNA
molecule (chromosome or plasmid) and of the distance, in linkage units or physical
units, between them.
Genetics – the study of the patterns of inheritance of specific traits.
Genetic drift – random fluctuation in allele frequencies due to small population
sizes (sampling error).
Genome – the sum total of an organism’s genetic material.