12. Explain why a DNA molecule can be used to

determine whether somconc is or is not the parent

of a particular child.

DNA paternity tests

Explanation:

The DNA of an individual is equal and the same in every somatic cell. While in egg or sperm, the chromosome number and DNA amount is half as compared to somatic cells. In sexual reproduction, one cell comes from father and one cell comes from mother brings the DNA of both parents and finally fuse together and forms a unique combination of genetic material, so the genetic material of an individual is derived from both parent in equal amounts.

Comparing the DNA sequence of one individual to the DNA sequence of other individual can prove what is the relation between them and if one of them was derived from the other, but DNA paternity tests are not 100% accurate. Specific sequences are examined to find the difference and similarities.

Besides nuclear DNA, mitochondria also contain their own, called mitochondrial DNA. The pattern of inheritance of mitochondrial DNA is that it passes only from the mother to the child without any shuffling. So, mitochondrial DNA is used only used to test for maternity not for paternity.