Comment on the utility of variability in the number of tandem repeats during DNA fingerprinting.
Variability in the number of tandem repeats (VNTR) is highly useful in DNA fingerprinting. The DNA sample is subjected to gel electrophoresis or Southern blotting. After that, VNTR exhibits a pattern of lines of different lengths. The variability in lengths of lines and their respective arrangement varies from one individual to another. This is more or less unique the way a person's fingerprint is. Thus, VNTR helps in establishing the exact identity of an individual through DNA fingerprinting.