OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the OCR GCSE Biology Exam with detailed quizzes, flashcards, and explanations. Enhance your understanding of biology concepts and get exam-ready today!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What is one application of genetic profiling?

  1. Conducting biodiversity studies

  2. Identifying specific plant genes

  3. Paternity testing

  4. Testing soil samples

The correct answer is: Paternity testing

Genetic profiling is a technique used to identify the specific DNA patterns in an individual, which is highly useful in various fields, particularly in forensic science and family law. One prominent application of genetic profiling is paternity testing. In this context, DNA from the mother, child, and potential father is analyzed to determine whether there is a biological relationship. The profile obtained reveals the unique genetic markers that can show whether a child inherits specific genes from the father. If the tested father's profile matches a significant number of markers with the child’s profile, it suggests a genetic link, thus establishing paternity. This application is crucial in legal scenarios involving custody or inheritance disputes, as well as in personal situations where individuals seek to confirm familial relationships.