Which term is used to describe a genetic variation detected by differences in fragment lengths after restriction enzyme digestion?

• A. Thymine
• B. Autopsy
• C. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs)
• D. Glucagon

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that DNA sequence differences can create different fragment patterns after a restriction enzyme cuts the DNA. Restriction enzymes cleave DNA at specific sequences, so if a mutation changes one of those sites, the lengths of the resulting fragments will differ. When these fragments are run on a gel, the pattern of lengths varies between individuals, revealing a genetic variation. This type of variation is called Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms, or RFLPs. The other terms listed don’t describe this concept: thymine is a nucleotide base, autopsy is a postmortem examination, and glucagon is a hormone.