DNA fingerprinting refers to:

Explanation

DNA fingerprinting is a technique of determining nucleotide sequences of certain areas of DNA which are unique to each individual. The difference of about 0.1% or 3 × 10 6 base pairs (out of 3 × 10 9 bp) provides individuality to each human being. The human genome possesses numerous small noncoding but inheritable sequences of bases that are repeated many times. These sequences occur near telomere, centromeres, Y chromosome and heterochromatic area. The area with the same sequence of bases repeated several times is called repetitive DNA. It is separated as satellite from the bulk DNA during density gradient centrifugation and hence called satellite DNA where repetition of bases is in tandem. Satellite DNAs show polymorphism (the occurrence of mutations in a population at high frequency), which is the basis of genetic mapping of the human genome as well as DNA fingerprinting. While mutations in genes produce alleles with different expressions, mutations in noncoding repetitive DNA have no immediate impact. These mutations which have piled up with time form the basis of polymorphism.