Final answer:
A microarray is assembled using single-stranded DNA and silicon chips. After labeling DNA or cDNA samples with fluorescent dyes, they hybridize to complementary DNA 'spotted' on a chip, aiding in transcriptional profiling and genotyping.
Step-by-step explanation:
A microarray is assembled using B) single-stranded DNA and silicon chips. The process begins by isolating genomic DNA or mRNA from the samples to be compared. If mRNA is isolated, it is reverse-transcribed to cDNA using reverse transcriptase. The DNA or cDNA samples are then labeled with different fluorescent dyes and combined in equal amounts before being added to the microarray chip to hybridize with complementary DNA that has been 'spotted' on the slide or chip. This technology is crucial in transcriptional profiling, helping to identify genes expressed in cells at any given moment and to detect quantitative differences in gene expression. Microarrays can also be used in genotyping and identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).