Question

What type of nucleic acid material is analyzed the most frequently in forensics cases?

a) mRNA
b) rRNA
c) mtDNA
d) tRNA

Answer 1

C) mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA).

Step-by-step explanation:

In forensics cases, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is often analyzed. Unlike nuclear DNA, which is unique to each individual, mtDNA is inherited maternally and is more conserved across generations. This makes it useful for identifying maternal relationships and for analyzing degraded or small DNA samples, common challenges in forensic investigations. Messenger RNA (MRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and transfer RNA (tRNA) are not typically used in forensics in the same manner as DNA analysis.

Answer 2

In forensic cases, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the most frequently analyzed nucleic acid material due to its usefulness in identifying remains and determining lineage.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nucleic Acid Analysis in Forensic Cases

In forensics cases, the type of nucleic acid material that is analyzed most frequently is mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). MtDNA is a valuable tool for forensic scientists due to its high copy number in cells and maternal inheritance pattern, which makes it ideal for tracking lineage and identifying remains. The other options, mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA, play important roles within cells but are not typically the focus in forensic DNA analysis.

As for the related questions provided:

• If the purified nucleic acid molecules are relatively small, contain uracil, and most are covalently bound to an amino acid, the type of RNA that was likely purified is tRNA (D).
• The type of RNA known for its catalytic abilities is rRNA (C).
• In the central dogma, mRNA can be compared to a disposable photocopy of a book kept on reserve in the library (b).
• Messenger RNA (mRNA) is analyzed most frequently in cellular gene expression studies because it represents the protein-coding genes that are being expressed in the cell.
• The smallest type of RNA typically is tRNA (d).