A situation where you would be likely to use mtDNA is:
A.
when there is a large amount of nuclear DNA.
B.
on the teeth and bones of skeletonized human remains.
C.
on a victim who has just died.
D.
when blood is present at the scene.
B. on the teeth and bones of skeletonized human remains.
Which of these is MOST similar to the DNA process of replication?
A.
two different people producing a child
B.
twins creating a child identical to them
C.
a single person being cloned into two identical twins
D.
twins creating a child somewhat different to them
A. two different people producing a child.
When studying the complementary base pairings of DNA, what is TRUE?
A.
Any of the four bases can pair with any other base.
B.
The pairings are always the same.
C.
The order of the pairings is always the same.
D.
The pairings stretch vertically down the double helix like the sides of a ladder.
B. The pairings are always the same.
Which shape is most similar to that of DNA?
A.
a chicken egg
B.
a line of spheres, each smaller than the one before it
C.
a spoke and wheels
D.
two twisted, connected ladders
D. two twisted, connected ladders.
An envelope is discovered at a crime scene. Where might it be examined for DNA?
A.
inside the envelope
B.
on the return address
C.
on the licked area
D.
at the top of the envelope
C. on the licked area.
To determine the most likely situation where mtDNA would be used, let's consider the options presented.
A. When there is a large amount of nuclear DNA:
This option does not specifically relate to mtDNA. Nuclear DNA, which is found in the nucleus of cells, is more commonly used in forensic analysis due to its higher abundance and potential for more detailed identification.
B. On the teeth and bones of skeletonized human remains:
This option is a potential situation where mtDNA is often utilized. When dealing with skeletonized human remains, there might be degraded or limited nuclear DNA available for analysis. However, mitochondria have their own DNA (mtDNA), which can survive in bones and teeth longer than nuclear DNA. Thus, mtDNA analysis can be a useful tool in identifying individuals when the remains have degraded or limited nuclear DNA.
C. On a victim who has just died:
This option does not specifically indicate the need for mtDNA. In cases involving recent deaths, forensic analysts typically rely on nuclear DNA analysis, as it is commonly found in all cells of the body and provides a stronger evidence base for identification.
D. When blood is present at the scene:
This option does not necessarily suggest mtDNA as the primary method of analysis. While mtDNA extraction from blood can be performed, nuclear DNA analysis is generally preferred due to its greater abundance and higher discriminatory power.
Based on the options provided, the situation where mtDNA would be most likely used is B: On the teeth and bones of skeletonized human remains.