Southern hybridization is
(a) Used to identify a specific protein
(b) Used to identify a specific DNA
(c) Used to identify a specific RNA
(d) Used to identify both DNA and RNA
Southern Hybridization: A Technique Used to Identify Specific DNA Sequences
The correct answer is (b) Used to identify a specific DNA.
What is Southern Hybridization?
Southern hybridization, also known as Southern blotting, is a widely used molecular biology technique for detecting specific DNA sequences in a complex mixture of DNA. It was developed by Edwin Southern in 1975 and remains an essential method in genetic research, forensic science, and disease diagnostics.
This method allows researchers to identify target DNA sequences by hybridizing them with a labeled DNA probe that is complementary to the sequence of interest. Southern hybridization for DNA detection plays a crucial role in genetic fingerprinting, gene mapping, and mutation analysis.
Steps of Southern Hybridization for DNA Identification
1. DNA Extraction and Digestion
- The DNA sample is extracted from cells or tissues.
- It is then digested into smaller fragments using restriction enzymes, which cut DNA at specific sequences.
2. Gel Electrophoresis for DNA Fragment Separation
- The DNA fragments are separated based on size using agarose gel electrophoresis.
- Smaller DNA fragments migrate faster than larger ones.
3. DNA Transfer to a Membrane
- The DNA fragments are denatured into single strands using an alkaline solution.
- The single-stranded DNA is then transferred onto a nylon or nitrocellulose membrane, a process called blotting.
4. Hybridization with a Labeled Probe
- A radioactive, fluorescent, or chemiluminescent-labeled DNA probe is introduced.
- The probe binds specifically to its complementary DNA sequence on the membrane.
5. Detection and Analysis
- Unbound probes are washed off to remove background signals.
- The hybridized DNA-probe complex is detected using autoradiography or fluorescence imaging.
Applications of Southern Hybridization for DNA Analysis
✔ Genetic Fingerprinting – Used in forensic science to match DNA samples.
✔ Gene Mapping – Helps locate genes on chromosomes.
✔ Mutation Analysis – Identifies mutations associated with genetic disorders.
✔ Pathogen Detection – Detects viral and bacterial DNA in infected samples.
✔ Cancer Research – Used to analyze oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.
Why Not Other Techniques?
1. Western Blotting – Identifies Proteins
- Western blotting is used to detect specific proteins through antigen-antibody interactions.
2. Northern Hybridization – Identifies RNA
- Northern blotting is used for RNA detection, not DNA sequences.
3. Dot Blot – Does Not Separate DNA Fragments
- Dot blotting detects nucleic acids but does not separate DNA fragments based on size.
✅ Correct Answer: (b) Used to Identify a Specific DNA



73 Comments
Meenakshi Choudhary
August 19, 2025Used to Identify a Specific DNA
Mahima Sharma
August 24, 2025Used to identification for specific dnadna
Khushi Vaishnav
August 19, 2025Used to identify a specific DNA.
Divya rani
August 20, 2025B is the Answer because the detection, visualization, and separation of dna on membrane is known as southern blotting.
Aakansha Sharma
August 20, 2025Used to identify specific DNA
Santosh Saini
August 20, 2025Used to identify specific DNA
Nilofar Khan
August 20, 2025Correct answer is (b) used to identify specific dna
Diksha Chhipa
August 20, 2025Done sir
Asha Gurzzar
August 20, 2025to identify specific dna
Neelam Sharma
August 20, 2025Detection specific DNA
Anurag Giri
August 20, 2025Ans b
Detection of specific DNA
anjani sharma
August 20, 2025Southern blotting is used to detect specific DNA
Karishma
August 20, 2025SB used to identify specific dna
Priya dhakad
August 20, 2025Southern hybridization is used for detection of specific dna
Sheikh Aleen
August 21, 2025Used for detection of specific DNA
Tanvi Panwar
August 20, 2025Specific DNA
Priya dhakad
August 20, 2025Southern hybridization is used for detection of specific dna so option is b correct
Aartii
August 20, 2025(C)Detection of specific dna
Dharmpal Swami
August 20, 2025Specific dna identify by southern blotting
Mansukh Kapoor
August 20, 2025The correct answer is option 2nd
Detection of specific DNA
Kavita choudhary
August 20, 2025Use for identify a specific DNA
Khushi Singh
August 20, 2025Southern blotting is used for detection of dna
HIMANI FAUJDAR
August 20, 2025Ans. Southern blotting is used for identification of specific DNA.
Priya khandal
August 20, 2025Used to identify the specific DNA
Priti khandal
August 20, 2025the correct answer is b used to identify the specific Dna
Deepika Sheoran
August 21, 2025Option b is correct
Used to identify Specific DNA.
Mohd juber Ali
August 21, 2025Option b is right
Neha
August 21, 2025Southern blotting is used to detect the specific dna on membrane
Sakshi yadav
August 21, 2025Used to identify specific DNA
Bharti Yadav
August 21, 2025Southern blotting used to detect specific dna sequence.
Bhawna Choudhary
August 21, 2025Southern blotting is used to identify DNA sequence
Sakshi
August 22, 2025Southern hybridization is used to identify specific dna so ,it is correct option
Aafreen Khan
August 22, 2025Southern Blotting is used to identify or detect a specific DNA.
shruti sharma
August 22, 2025DETECT SPECIFIC DNA
Aman Choudhary
August 22, 2025Southern blotting is used to identify a specific DNA
Simran Saini
August 22, 2025Used to identify a specific DNA.
Mitali saini
August 22, 2025The correct answer is (b) Used to identify a specific DNA.
Kirti agarwal
August 22, 2025Used to identify a specific DNA
Surbhi Rajawat
August 22, 2025Southern blotting is used to detect specific DNA sequences
Avni
August 22, 2025The correct answer is (b) Used to identify a specific DNA
Soniya Shekhawat
August 23, 2025Southern blotting is used to detect a specific DNA sequence.
Priyanka Choudhary
August 23, 2025Correct answer is option b,
Used to identify a specific DNA.
Niti Tanwar
August 23, 2025Answer is b used to identify specific dna
Varsha Tatla
August 23, 2025Answer will be dna detection
Kajal
August 23, 2025Southern hybridization another name for southern blotting and is used for DNA ..
Kajal
August 23, 2025Southern hybridization another name for southern blotting used for DNA
Akshita Jangid
August 23, 2025Southern blotting is a technique that is used to detect specific DNA
Sakshi Kanwar
August 23, 2025Used to identify a specific DNA sequence
Yogita
August 24, 2025Used to identify specific DNA
Divya Mandhania
August 24, 2025The correct answer is option 2nd
Detection of specific DNA
Arushi Saini
August 24, 2025Used to detect specific DNA
Sneha Kumawat
August 24, 2025Used to identify a specific DNA
Alec
August 24, 2025to identify a specific DNA
Ayush
August 24, 2025Used to identify a specific DNA.
Himanshi
August 24, 2025Used to identify specific dna
AKANKSHA RAJPUT
August 24, 2025Used to identify a specific DNA (southern blotting)
Shivani
August 24, 2025Southern hybridization is used to identify specific DNA
Neeraj Sharma
August 24, 2025Southern blotting is used to detect specific DNA
Anisha Beniwal
August 24, 2025To identify a specific DNA – southern blotting
Devika
August 24, 2025Southern hybridization is used to detect a specific dna
Komal Sharma
August 24, 2025Southern hybridization, also known as Southern blotting, is a widely used molecular biology technique for detecting specific DNA sequences
Sonam Saini
August 24, 2025Is used to detect specific DNA
Falguni Prakash
August 24, 2025Specific dna
Kashish yadav
August 25, 2025Option b
Kajal
August 25, 2025Used to identify the specific dna
Bhavana kankhedia
August 26, 2025Used to identify a specific DNA
Anju
August 26, 2025Ans:b
Use to identify specific DNA
Kanica Sunwalka
August 28, 2025used to identify specific dna
Shriyanshi verma
August 30, 2025Used to identification for specific dnadna
Pratibha Jain
August 30, 2025correct answer is (b)
Used to identify a specific DNA.
Anjali
August 31, 2025Used to identify specific DNA
Anisha jakhar
August 31, 2025Used to identify specific DNA
Shobha Kanwar
August 31, 2025The correct answer is (b) Used to identify a specific DNA