How does a real DNA or RNA probe “stick” to the target DNA sequence in DNA fingerprinting?

One Response to “How does a real DNA or RNA probe “stick” to the target DNA sequence in DNA fingerprinting?”

  1. Jacob Z Says:

    DNA/RNA probes will stick to their respective DNA/RNA sequence when the two sequences are aligned to each other so they can form hydrogen bonds. For instance, a given probe ATTCAGGTC with locate the DNA sequence TAAGTCCAG and form 2 or 3 hydrogen bonds with the opposing nucleotide based on which complex it is. I believe the A/T complex has three hydrogen bonds and the C/G complex has 2 hydrogen bonds. Therefore, in our example probe we will find 23 hydrogen bonds, which gives the probe its stickiness.

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