'Microsatellite DNA' is used in the case of which one of the following?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2023: General Studies (SET - A - Held on 28 May)

Studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna
Stimulating 'stem cells' to transform into diverse functional
tissues
Promoting clonal propagation of horticultural plants
Assessing the efficacy of drugs by conducting series of drug trials in a population

Answer 1

The correct answer is Option 1

Key Points

Microsatellite DNA:

Definition:
- Microsatellite DNA, also known as simple sequence repeats (SSRs) or short tandem repeats (STRs), consists of short, repetitive DNA sequences found throughout the genomes of many organisms.
Structure:
- These sequences are composed of repeating units of 1-6 base pairs in length.
Usage:
Microsatellite DNA is widely used in molecular biology and genetics for applications such as:
- Studying evolutionary relationships among species by analyzing variations in DNA sequences.
- Gaining insights into genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary history of different fauna species.
- Particularly useful in studying populations with low genetic variation and resolving close genetic relationships between species.
Hence, the correct answer is Option 1: Studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna.