Practice question

Single nucleotide polymorphisms represent the most abundant class of genomic variation, occurring every few hundred base pairs across genomes, numbering millions in humans and economically important plants. They are codominant in nature, discriminating homozygous and heterozygous states through allele-specific assays, sequencing or array hybridization platforms. Though individually less polymorphic than multiallelic SSR, their high density, amenability to automation and high-throughput genotyping makes them exceptionally powerful. Their use extends far beyond forensics, encompassing association mapping, genomic selection, evolutionary genetics and marker-assisted breeding programs worldwide.