Lesson 3.8.4.3.1

3.8.4.3.1 Genetic fingerprinting and its uses Quiz: AQA Biology, Unit 8

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.8.4.3.1, Genetic fingerprinting and its uses: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Biology (7402), Unit 8: The control of gene expression, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What are variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) in non-coding DNA?

    • Active enzyme sites
    • Single base mutations
    • Functional gene exons
    • Repeated DNA sequences

  2. What is the probability of two unrelated individuals sharing the exact same VNTR pattern?

    • Absolutely certain
    • Very low
    • Very high
    • Fifty percent

  3. Gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments primarily based on which characteristic?

    • Ribose concentration
    • Base charge ratio
    • Guanine content
    • Fragment size

  4. Which process is used to amplify small DNA samples before genetic fingerprinting?

    • Gel electrophoresis
    • Polymerase chain reaction
    • Western blotting
    • Reverse transcription

  5. Apart from paternity testing, what can genetic fingerprinting determine in populations?

    • Genetic variability
    • Cell division speed
    • Gene transcription rates
    • Protein structure

  6. Why does DNA move towards the positive electrode during gel electrophoresis?

    • Positive base pairs
    • Negative phosphate groups
    • Positive amine groups
    • Neutral sugar rings

  7. How are genetic relationships compared between individuals using genetic fingerprinting?

    • Measuring nuclear mass
    • Counting total chromosomes
    • Comparing band patterns
    • Calculating ATP levels

  8. If a suspect's genetic fingerprint matches a crime sample completely, how is this evaluated?

    • Prove absolute guilt
    • Re-amplify DNA only
    • Calculate match probability
    • Invalidate the sample

  9. During gel electrophoresis, which DNA fragments travel furthest from the wells?

    • Circular fragments
    • Uncharged fragments
    • Smallest fragments
    • Largest fragments

  10. Two individuals share 8 of 10 bands in a fingerprint. What percentage of bands is shared?

    • 8 per cent
    • 80 per cent
    • 10 per cent
    • 20 per cent

  11. Why are variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) useful in genetic fingerprinting?

    • Single base mutations
    • Varying repeat length
    • Constant base sequence
    • Identical gene length

  12. What is a primary use of genetic fingerprinting in selective animal breeding?

    • Inducing gene mutations
    • Determining sex ratios
    • Editing target DNA
    • Confirming parentage

  13. Two DNA fingerprints match except for one extra band. What is the most likely conclusion?

    • Identical twins
    • Different individuals
    • Homozygous source
    • Complete match

  14. What is the main purpose of performing PCR prior to genetic fingerprinting?

    • Cut DNA strands
    • Separate DNA fragments
    • Amplify DNA quantity
    • Denature DNA probes

  15. Genetic fingerprinting relies on differences in non-coding DNA called what?

    • Exons
    • VNTRs
    • Promoters
    • Terminators

  16. Why is a genetic fingerprint match described as probabilistic rather than absolute?

    • Shared band probability
    • Gel distortions
    • PCR copying errors
    • Rapid DNA mutation

  17. Three independent loci each have a 0.1 probability of matching by chance between two unrelated people. What is the probability that all three match?

    • 0.01
    • 0.0001
    • 0.3
    • 0.001

  18. Put these steps in the most likely order: 1 extract DNA, 2 amplify VNTR regions by PCR, 3 separate fragments by gel electrophoresis, 4 compare band patterns. Which sequence is correct?

    • 4, 3, 2, 1
    • 2, 1, 3, 4
    • 1, 2, 3, 4
    • 1, 3, 2, 4

  19. Why is a control sample run alongside test samples during gel electrophoresis?

    • Increase fragment speed
    • Denature DNA strands
    • Rule out contamination
    • Bind fluorescent probes

  20. How is genetic diversity within a population assessed using genetic fingerprints?

    • Compare band patterns
    • Sequence all exons
    • Count total genes
    • Measure cell size

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