What is a SNP?
Q: What is a SNP?
A: A single nucleotide polymorphism is a DNA sequence variation in a population, characterized by a single nucleotide difference in the genome.
Q: What does SNP stand for?
A: SNP stands for single nucleotide polymorphism.
Q: How many alleles do common SNPs have?
A: Most common SNPs have only two alleles.
Q: Where do SNPs occur most often in the DNA?
A: SNPs occur most often in regions of the DNA which do not affect the survival of the organism.
Q: What factors can affect SNP density?
A: Factors like genetic recombination and mutation rate can also affect SNP density.
Q: What are some practical applications of genetic variations between individuals?
A: Genetic variations between individuals (particularly in non-coding parts of the genome) are sometimes exploited in DNA fingerprinting, which is used in forensic science. These genetic variations also cause differences in our susceptibility to disease.
Q: What is an example of a genetic variation linked to a higher risk of a specific disease?
A: For example, a single base mutation in the APOE (apolipoprotein E) gene is associated with a higher risk for Alzheimer's disease.
