A DNA fingerprint is a laboratory technique that identifies DNA repeat sequences that produce a pattern specific to that individual. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) exhibits several useful features for human identification and for their use in DNA fingerprinting: 1-doesn't undergo recombination, 2-a high copy number, and 3-matrilineal inheritance (i.e., mtDNA is inherited from the mother). It is for these reasons that mtDNA fingerprint analysis has become very useful for human identification.
Osmosis is the process cells use to move water molecules in and out of the cell through the cell membrane. When cells are put in different environments they will try to maintain an equilibrium with the water concentration outside the cell. Through osmosis the cell will lose or gain water molecules to become equal to the concentration in their environment.
