Nucleic acid probes are used to ______.
A) find a specific nucleotide sequence
B) isolate bacterial genes
C) destroy clones that do not carry the recombinant plasmid of interest
D) synthesize a DNA strand complementary to a sticky end

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nucleic acid probes are short, single-stranded fragments of DNA or RNA that are complementary to a specific sequence of nucleotides in a target DNA molecule. They are used to locate and identify specific nucleotide sequences, such as a gene or a mutation, in a complex mixture of DNA. By hybridizing with the target sequence, the probe can be used to detect, quantify, or isolate the target DNA fragment. Nucleic acid probes are widely used in molecular biology, genetics, and diagnostic medicine.

Nucleic Acid Probes Are Used to ______