Chapter 12, Problem 2DQ

Summary Introduction

To review:

The reason for the rare presence of two different sets of DNA in the cells of a mammal assumed as perpetrator, in the crime scene of an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation which is based on real instances.

Introduction:

The presence of cells with different genotypes in a single organism is known as genetic chimerism or chimaera. Animal chimeras are a result of merginging of multiple fertilized eggs. Chimeric condition arises from at least four parental cells i.e. two fertilized eggs or early embryos which are fused together. This situation leads to the population of cells which keeps their identity intact, thus resulting organism bears a mixture of tissues.