Which statement correctly distinguishes short tandem repeats from the minisatellite VNTRs used in early DNA fingerprinting?

• A STR analysis requires Southern blotting, whereas minisatellite analysis requires capillary electrophoresis
• B STRs are located only on sex chromosomes, whereas minisatellites are autosomal
• C STRs show codominant inheritance, whereas minisatellites show mitochondrial inheritance
• D STRs have repeat units of 2 to 6 base pairs, whereas minisatellite core repeats span roughly 10 to 60 or more base pairs ✓

Explanation

The defining distinction is repeat unit length: microsatellites or STRs have motifs of 2 to 6 bases amplified by PCR, while minisatellites or VNTRs have longer cores around 10 to 60 bases needing restriction digestion. Both marker classes are codominant autosomal markers scattered genome wide. Option A reverses the actual techniques, since PCR with capillary electrophoresis belongs to STR work.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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