What is used to determine a person's DNA sequence?

The determination of a person's DNA sequence primarily involves the use of nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA. Each nucleotide consists of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. DNA is structured as a double helix made of long chains of these nucleotides, which sequence ultimately encodes genetic information.

DNA sequencing technology specifically analyzes the sequence of nucleotides in a DNA sample, allowing for the precise identification of genetic variations and characteristics. Techniques such as Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing focus on determining the order of nucleotides in the DNA molecules.

While genes are segments of DNA that code for proteins and carry genetic traits, they themselves do not determine the overall DNA sequence but rather are defined by specific sequences of nucleotides. Chromosomes are structures that organize the DNA within the cell, grouping together many genes and nucleotides, but they do not directly determine or analyze the sequence. RNA, on the other hand, is involved in protein synthesis and can be synthesized based on the DNA template but is not utilized to sequence an individual's DNA.