If the only solid evidence against a capital murder suspect in a trial were DNA profiles from hair taken from the crime
scene and the suspect’s DNA, what chance of an “accidental match” would be small enough for you to feel that the
suspect is guilty “beyond reasonable doubt?” Explain your reasoning. What will be an ideal response?
ANSWER: Answers will vary.
Background:Based
on population frequencies of the CSF1PO and TPOX STR CODIS markers, the probability of
someone carrying the same alleles for both markers is 1 in 2,500 (1/25 x 1/100), meaning that this
combination of alleles is found in 1 in every 2,500 individuals (see Table 14.5).
When the population frequencies of the alleles for CSF1PO, TPOX, vWA, and D5S818 STR CODIS
markers are combined, the frequency of this combination is 1 in about 60 million. This means that the
probability that someone has this combination of alleles is 1 person in 60 million (about 4 or 5
individuals in the United States). If an analysis includes all 13 CODIS STR markers, the chance that
anyone has a particular combination is about 1 in 100 trillion—more than enough to identify someone
in Earth’s population of 6 billion. In all cases, the DNA evidence must be considered in the context of
all the other available evidence in determining guilt or innocence.
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Which of the following is not a component of a nucleotide?
A. a five-carbon sugar B. one or more phosphate groups C. a nitrogen-containing base D. a carboxyl group E. a five-carbon sugar, one or more phosphate groups, a nitrogen-containing base and a carboxyl group are all components of nucleotides.
Which of the following processes involves meiosis?
a. healing wounds b. increase in size during growth c. production of sperm cells d. uncontrolled division of cancer cells
In many animals, changes in melatonin secretion patterns trigger seasonal adjustments in behavior or appearance. Explain how melatonin levels affect singing in male songbirds
What will be an ideal response?
Molecules that resemble fats but contain phosphate functional groups are called
A. steroids. B. polypeptides. C. phospholipids. D. nucleic acid.