History
Timeline of DNA
Contributers to Discovery


Structure
Components of DNA
Patterns of Base Pairing
DNA in Chromosomes
RNA Molecule
Protein Molecule


Functions
Transcription
Translation
Recombination
Replication


Visitors

Paternity Testing >>


With DNA, tests can be determined to match genes off an offspring to the parent because of the specific unique information stored in DNA. Scientists are able to decipher the certain genes derived from a certain person with a small amount of extracted blood from each person, the offspring and suspected biological parent. This is how it works:

46 chromosomes are necessary to create a person. 23 chromosomes come from the egg, and another 23 chromosomes are received from the sperm. Therefore the offspring will bear half of each of the genetic code derived from the two biological parents. So, to find the correct biological parents of a child, the suspected biological parent and child will have .25 to .50 of a teaspoon of blood extracted. The chromosomes in the extracted blood is then carefully compared with each others chromosomes. Scientists search for matches of the same band widths and if 99% of the matches are true, then the alleged biological parent IS the biological parent. Though if only 2 or more DNA matches are false, then the alleged biological parent is ruled out of being the actual biological parent.

The technique of paternity testing are similar to those techniques used in the courtroom to judge whether suspected criminals are guilty of a crime. By using hair, skin, or blood they, being the suspected criminal, left at the scene of the crime and the hair, skin, or blood, that they will be forced to donate, during their trial can accurately determine whether if was them who conducted the crime. The DNA in the cells of the hair, skin, or blood will be compared to each other to see if they match up, and are guilty.











DNA's Uses
Cloning
Paternity Testing
Agriculture
Gene Therapy


Further Materials
Recommended Books
Related Websites
DNA Modules/Experiments
Site Glossary


This is website is mostly focused on the topic of DNA, the Human Code. Learning about the human code, and how people may inherit different characterisitcs genetically is interesting to investigate. The diverse sections; DNA History, DNA Structure, DNA Functions, and DNA' Uses; provide a broad overview of each category, and also include a vast majority of short, in-depth inserts to portray a better understanding and comprehension of this complex subject, DNA, and to answer questions that would puzzle you about DNA.

As a bonus, this site includes a glossary. The glossary contains all words that were printed in bold that would seem hard to understand or not in an average person's vocabulary in the various sections within this site, so that you never become lost or puzzled while observing the information given on this site.

If you would like to download an easy-to-read report of DNA, that is pretty much similar to the information given on this website, click the link on the bottom of the main page to download.


Best viewed in a maximized window and with a monitor resolution of 1024 x 768. All written materials and information
were fully composed, as well as altered images and diagrams, by Josh Eisma (2002), unless otherwise specified.