Which one of the following techniques can be used to establish the paternity of a child?

Solution (By Examveda Team)

The correct answer is Option D: DNA fingerprinting.

Let's understand why:

DNA fingerprinting is a very powerful and accurate technique used to identify individuals based on their unique DNA patterns. Imagine every person having a unique 'genetic barcode' inside them. DNA fingerprinting helps to read this barcode.

For establishing paternity (finding out who the father of a child is), this technique works wonderfully because a child inherits exactly half of its genetic material (DNA) from its mother and the other half from its father. By comparing the child's unique DNA fingerprint with that of the potential father, scientists can determine if there's a match. If the child shares significant and specific DNA patterns with the alleged father, it confirms paternity.

Let's look at why the other options are not suitable:

Option A: Protein analysis
Proteins are essential building blocks of our body, but their types and quantities can vary greatly in a person due to many factors like diet, health, and environment. They do not provide a stable and unique genetic blueprint for individual identification or paternity determination in the same precise way DNA does.

Option B: Chromosome counting
This technique simply counts the number of chromosomes in a cell. Humans typically have 46 chromosomes. While important for detecting certain chromosomal disorders (like Down syndrome), it doesn't provide the detailed, unique genetic information needed to distinguish one individual from another or establish a genetic link like paternity.

Option C: Quantitative analysis of DNA
"Quantitative" means measuring the *amount*. This technique would tell us *how much* DNA is present in a sample. However, it does not reveal the specific sequence, pattern, or characteristics of the DNA itself, which are crucial for identifying individuals or establishing genetic relationships like paternity.

Therefore, DNA fingerprinting is the most reliable and widely accepted method for establishing the paternity of a child due to its ability to analyze unique genetic patterns that are inherited directly from parents.