Question

Microsatellites a. are relatively highly polymorphic genetic markers b. can by amplified by polymerase chain reactions c. contain repeated elements d. all of the above e. none of the above

Short answer

Question: Choose the correct statement(s) about microsatellites: a. Microsatellites are relatively highly polymorphic genetic markers. b. Microsatellites can be amplified by polymerase chain reactions (PCR). c. Microsatellites contain repeated elements. d. All of the above. e. None of the above. Answer: d. All of the above.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Microsatellites

Microsatellites, also known as simple sequence repeats (SSRs) or short tandem repeats (STRs), are short repetitions of DNA sequences found throughout the genome. They are highly polymorphic, meaning they have a high degree of variation among individuals. This makes them useful as genetic markers for studying population genetics, forensic science, and parentage analysis.

Analyzing each option

Now let's analyze each option one by one: a. Microsatellites are relatively highly polymorphic genetic markers: This statement is true. The high degree of variation in microsatellites makes them suitable for use as genetic markers in various studies. b. Microsatellites can be amplified by polymerase chain reactions (PCR): This statement is also true. PCR is a technique used to amplify a specific DNA sequence, making it easier to study. Since microsatellites are DNA sequences, PCR can be used to amplify them. c. Microsatellites contain repeated elements: This statement is true as well. Microsatellites are composed of short, repeated DNA sequences. d. All of the above: Since all the options a, b, and c are true, this statement is also true. e. None of the above: This statement is false since we found that all the previous statements are true.

Choosing the correct answer

Based on the analysis of each option, we can conclude that the correct answer is: d. All of the above.