View source for RFLP

Restriction fragment length [[Polymorphism|polymorphisms]] are a type of genetic identifiers used in the study of traits and comparison of [[Allelic restriction sites|allelic restriction sites]]. RFLPs develop due to the mutations that occur in the sequences that code [[Restriction site|restriction sites]]; thus the mutations either result in the destruction or creation of [[restriction site|restriction sites]]. The consequence of such mutations is that when a [[Restriction enzyme|restriction enzyme]] is used to cut the [[DNA|DNA]] sequence, where there has been destructive mutation the DNA sequence is not ligated and where there has been creation of restriction sites the DNA is [[Ligation|ligated]]. This all leads to varying lengths of DNA fragments which separate on [[Gel electrophoresis|gel electrophoresis]]. RFLPs are used for the analysis of traits and allelic mutations&nbsp;<ref>Lodish.H.,2007. Molecular Cell Biology. 7th ed. Basingstoke</ref>. 

RFLP is a common method for determining the paternity of a child. 

Another reason this test is useful is because it has a high power of exclusion (around 99%). This means that when a test is run to determine the paternity, around 99% of the population can be discounted to be the childs father. This makes the results very asccurate. Although, it is a very useful technique, it is not as commonly used as [[PCR|PCR]]. This is because it takes a long time to run the test and it requires large samples for testing&nbsp;<ref>RFLP is a common method for determining the paternity of a child. Another reason this test is useful is because it has a high power of exclusion (around 99%). This means that when a test is run to determine the paternity, around 99% of the population can be discounted to be the childs father. This makes the results very asccurate. Although, it is a very useful technique, it is not as commonly used as PCR. This is because it takes a long time to run the test and it requires large samples for testing.</ref><ref>http://www.dnajunction.com/technology/rflp.php</ref>.

=== References  ===

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