Key Differences Between Southern and Northern Hybridizations
What is the difference between Southern and Northern hybridizations ?
A. Southem blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to, usually, mRNA.
B. Southern blots use an RNA probe to hybridize to DNA but Northern blots use an RNA probe to hybridize to RNA.
C. Southem blots determine if a particular gene is being expressed but Northern blots determine the homology between mRNA and a DNA probe.
D. Southern blots determine the homology between mRNA and a DNA probe but Northern blots determine if a particular gene is being expressed.
Southern vs. Northern Hybridization: Understanding the Key Differences
Southern and Northern blotting are two essential techniques in molecular biology used for analyzing nucleic acids. While both involve hybridization, they differ in their target molecules and applications.
The correct answer is:
✅ A. Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Key Differences Between Southern and Northern Blotting:
| Feature | Southern Blot | Northern Blot |
|---|---|---|
| Target Molecule | DNA | RNA (usually mRNA) |
| Probe Type | DNA or RNA probe | DNA probe |
| Purpose | Detects specific DNA sequences in a genome | Measures gene expression by detecting mRNA levels |
| Sample Preparation | Uses restriction enzymes to digest DNA before blotting | Uses intact RNA (not digested) |
| Denaturation Step | DNA must be denatured before hybridization | RNA is already single-stranded, so denaturation is not required |
| Application | Genetic fingerprinting, mutation analysis, identifying gene presence | Studying gene expression levels in different tissues or conditions |
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
❌ B. Southern blots use an RNA probe to hybridize to DNA, but Northern blots use an RNA probe to hybridize to RNA.
- Southern blots typically use DNA probes, not RNA.
- Northern blots use DNA probes to hybridize to RNA, not RNA probes.
❌ C. Southern blots determine if a particular gene is being expressed, but Northern blots determine the homology between mRNA and a DNA probe.
- Southern blotting detects the presence of a gene but does not measure expression.
- Northern blotting detects mRNA levels, directly assessing gene expression.
❌ D. Southern blots determine the homology between mRNA and a DNA probe, but Northern blots determine if a particular gene is being expressed.
- Southern blot does not involve mRNA; it examines genomic DNA.
Conclusion:
Southern blotting detects specific DNA sequences, while Northern blotting measures gene expression by detecting mRNA levels. These techniques are crucial for studying genetic information and gene regulation in molecular biology.
74 Comments
Suman bhakar
March 3, 2025Done sir
Ujjwal
March 3, 2025Nice sir
Aakansha Sharma
August 20, 2025Option A
Ayush Dubey
August 24, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA
Arushi
March 3, 2025👍😂
Akshay mahawar
March 3, 2025Done👍
Abhilasha
March 3, 2025Done sir
Priya khandal
March 3, 2025Done Sir
Mahima Sharma
August 21, 2025Op b
Prami Masih
March 4, 2025Done sir
Dipti Sharma
August 20, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Khushi Mehra
August 20, 2025Northern blotting is used to hybridize mRNA by using DNA probe
And Southern blotting is used to hybridize DNA by using DNA probe
Thus, DNA probe is used in both method not the RNA probe
shruti sharma
August 20, 2025OPTION A
Mohd juber Ali
August 20, 2025Option A is right answer
Southern blotting used to detect specific dna sequence and Northern blotting used to detect specific mRNa (used dna probe)
Anurag Giri
August 20, 2025Ans a
Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Dharmpal Swami
August 20, 2025Southern blotting -dna probe which digest dna
Northern blotting -dna probe which digest mrna
Bharti Yadav
August 20, 2025Option A is correct.
Southern blotting hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blotting hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Nilofar Khan
August 20, 2025Correct answer is a
Varsha Tatla
August 20, 2025Statment 1st is absolutely right 👍🏿
Mansukh Kapoor
August 20, 2025The correct answer is option 1st
Southern blot uses DNA probe to hybridize it into DNA and northern blotting use DNA probe to hybridize it into mRNA
Roopal Sharma
August 20, 2025Southern Blotting uses a Dna probe for Hybridization of dna sample bit In Northern blotting dna probe is used for expressing mrna
Aman Choudhary
August 20, 2025Option A is correct
Southern blot uses a DNA probe to hybridize it into DNA and NB use DNA probe to hybridize into mRNA
Sakshi yadav
August 20, 2025Southern blotting use a DNA probe for hybridization of DNA But Northern blot DNA probe is used to express mrna
Surbhi Rajawat
August 20, 2025Southern blot is a technique to detect specific gene sequence using a DNA probe. While in northern blot we detect or analyse specific m-RNA. Hence the first option is correct
Priya choudhary
August 20, 2025Correct answer is option a,southern blotting detect to specific dna sequence and Northern blotting detect to specific mRNa
Reply
Deepika Sheoran
August 20, 2025Option A is correct answer
Because Southern blotting used to detect specific DNA sequence and Northern blotting used to detect specific m RNA.
Priya dhakad
August 20, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
HIMANI FAUJDAR
August 20, 2025Ans Southern blotting detects specific DNA sequences, while Northern blotting measures gene expression by detecting mRNA levels.
anjani sharma
August 20, 2025Answer a
Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Aafreen
August 20, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA
Kavita choudhary
August 20, 2025Answer is a
Neelam Sharma
August 20, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Sakshi
August 20, 2025Hybridization of dna probe in southern blotting is to digest dna sample but northern blot hybridize dna probe to mrna
Manisha
August 21, 2025Southern blotting for DNA
Northern blotting for RNA
DNA probe IS USED
Mitali Saini
August 21, 2025The correct answer is:
✅ A. Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Neha
August 21, 2025Southern blot hybridise a dna probe to a digested dna sample but northern blot hybridise dna probe to mrna
Payal Gaur
August 21, 2025A. Southern blots is hybridized DNA probe used to detect DNA and in Northern blot hybridized DNA probe used detect RNA.
Santosh Saini
August 21, 2025DNA probe are used in the both techniques , southern blotting to detect specific DNA and northern blotting to detect specific mRNA
Khushi Vaishnav
August 21, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Simran Saini
August 21, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to, usually mRNA.
Avni
August 21, 2025A. Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Bhawna Choudhary
August 21, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA
Sneha Kumawat
August 22, 2025Southern blotting is use to hybridize dna by using dna probe , northern blot is use to hybridize rna by using rna probe
Soniya Shekhawat
August 22, 2025In Southern blotting in which hybridization of DNA by DNA probe or RNA Probe where as the northern blotting a h hybridization of RNA by DNA probe.
karishma
August 22, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Arushi
August 22, 2025Southern blotting :- DNA + DNA probe
Northern blotting :- MRNA +DNA probe
Parul Yadav
August 22, 2025Southern Blots hybridize a DNA probe to fragmented DNA sample while Northern Blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Kirti agarwal
August 23, 2025Opt a
Priya khandal
August 23, 2025Southern blots hybridise a DNA pro to a digested DNA sample but northen blotting hybridization a Dna probeto usually and mRNA
Akshita Jangid
August 23, 2025OPTION A is correct
Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Yogita
August 24, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample but northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to RNA
Himanshi
August 24, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA
Anisha Beniwal
August 24, 2025Option A is correct
Shivani
August 24, 2025Southern blotting hybridize a DNA probe to digested DNA sample but Northern blot hybridize a DNA probe to m rna
AKANKSHA RAJPUT
August 24, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample but northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to RNA
Bhavana kankhedia
August 24, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA
Kajal
August 24, 2025Option a is correct in southern n northern blotting we used dna as a probe
Tanvi Panwar
August 24, 2025Southern blotting hybridizes DNA probe to the digested DNA while northern blotting hybridizes DNA probe to mRNA.
Priyanka Verma
August 24, 2025option A is correct
southern blotting hybridizes DNA probe to the digested DNA while northern blotting hybridizes DNA probe to mRNA.
Sonam Saini
August 24, 2025Option A is right
Surendra Doodi
August 24, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA
sakshi khatri
August 24, 2025a is correct
Falguni Prakash
August 24, 2025Option a
Kajal
August 25, 2025Option A is right
Manisha choudhary
August 26, 2025Southern blotting and northern blotting m DNA probe use ki jaate h
Southern blotting m specific gene k baare m pta kr skte h pr gene expression kaa pta nhi chlta h ,dna fragments use kiye jaate
Northern blotting m gene expression check kr skte h m rna ko cleave nhi kiya jata h
Priyanka Meena
August 26, 2025Southern blotting are use specific DNA but Northern blotting are use specific RNA
Muskan Yadav
August 26, 2025Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Shriyanshi verma
August 30, 2025Southern blotting -dna probe which digest dna
Northern blotting -dna probe which digest mrna
Asha Gurzzar
August 30, 2025A is correct, southern hybridization me dna probe and dna use,and in northern rna with dna probe used
Pratibha Jain
August 30, 2025The correct answer is option (A)
Southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Anisha jakhar
August 31, 2025A is the correct option as southern blots hybridize a DNA probe to a digested DNA sample, but Northern blots hybridize a DNA probe to mRNA.
Shobha Kanwar
August 31, 2025Option a) Southern blotting -dna probe which digest dna
Northern blotting -dna probe which digest mrna
Kanica Sunwalka
August 31, 2025s.blot – for dna
n.blot – for rna
in both dna probe is used
Deepika sheoran
November 15, 2025Option A is correct