Revolutionaries executed Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia, along with his wife and five children, the family physician, and about a dozen servants. Many decades later, a grave said to hold the remains of the royal family was discovered. Biologists were asked to analyze DNA from the bodies. If the remains of the family were in this grave, predict how similar the DNA fingerprints would be between the parents, the children, and the unrelated individuals in the grave.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of DNA fingerprinting: DNA fingerprinting is a method used to identify individuals based on their unique DNA profiles. This technique is often used in forensic science to match suspects with samples of DNA collected at a crime scene.
2. Recognize the genetic relationships: In a family, parents and their children share a significant amount of genetic material. Each child inherits half of their DNA from each parent, resulting in high similarity between the DNA of parents and their children.
3. Consider the unrelated individuals: The family physician and the servants, who are not genetically related to the royal family, would have distinctly different DNA profiles compared to the family members. Their DNA fingerprints would not show the same patterns of genetic markers that are seen in the family.
4. Predict the DNA fingerprint similarities: If the remains in the grave belong to the royal family and their servants, the DNA fingerprints of Nicholas II and his wife would show high similarity with their children's DNA. However, the DNA fingerprints of the unrelated individuals (the physician and servants) would show clear differences when compared to the family members.
5. Use of DNA fingerprinting in verification: By comparing the DNA fingerprints obtained from the remains to known profiles of the royal family, biologists can confirm whether the remains belong to the royal family and their associates. The degree of similarity between the DNA profiles would provide crucial evidence in verifying the identities of the individuals in the grave.

Key Concepts

DNA Fingerprinting

DNA fingerprinting is a technique used to identify individuals based on their unique DNA profiles. It involves analyzing specific regions of DNA that vary greatly among individuals, allowing for the comparison of genetic material. In the context of the royal family, DNA fingerprints can reveal genetic similarities and differences between family members and unrelated individuals.

Inheritance Patterns

Inheritance patterns describe how genetic traits are passed from parents to offspring. In sexually reproducing organisms, children inherit half of their DNA from each parent, leading to genetic similarities among siblings. This concept is crucial for predicting the DNA similarities between Nicholas II, his wife, and their children, as they would share a significant portion of their genetic material.

Genetic Relatedness

Genetic relatedness refers to the degree of genetic similarity between individuals. Family members, such as parents and their children, share a higher genetic relatedness compared to unrelated individuals. In this case, the DNA analysis would show high similarity among the royal family members, while the unrelated individuals would exhibit distinct DNA profiles, highlighting the differences in genetic relatedness.