Final answer:
The only technique listed that does not involve hybridization between single-stranded nucleic acids is Western blotting, which is used for protein analysis. For genetic disorders like sickle cell anemia, Southern blotting is the appropriate technique, as it detects DNA sequence changes that cause the disorder.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question "All of the following techniques involve hybridization between single-stranded nucleic acid molecules; except:" is c) Western blotting. Hybridization refers to the base pairing of single-stranded DNA or RNA from different sources. Southern blotting and Northern blotting both require transfer of nucleic acids to a membrane followed by hybridization with labeled probes to detect specific DNA or RNA sequences. However, Western blotting involves the detection of proteins using antibodies, not nucleic acid hybridization. Therefore, Western blotting does not involve hybridization between single-stranded nucleic acids.
When considering sickle cell anemia, which is caused by a genetic mutation in the DNA coding for hemoglobin, the most useful technique to detect polymorphism in a sample would be b) Southern blotting. This technique can directly identify the presence of specific DNA sequences within a genome. It is particularly useful in detecting sickle cell anemia because it can reveal the specific mutation in the hemoglobin gene.