A source of often polymorphic DNA fragments generated in a PCR-like reaction.

Random amplification of polymorphic DNA. A method for identifying differences between genomes of different individuals by PCR with a single short (usually 10-base) primer, which will anneal with complementary sequence at undetermined positions in the genome. The products form a type of "genetic fingerprint".

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA. DNA polymorphisms amplified by arbitrary primers using PCR. Useful as molecular markers.

random amplified polymorphic DNA. Oligonucleotide primers of arbitrary sequence are used to PCR-amplify the undefined regions of template DNA. Many fragments are generated from a single reaction to be later separated by agarose or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

See random amplified polymorphic DNA.

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA. A set of several genomic fragments amplified by a single PCR primer; somewhat variable from individual to individual; +/ heterozygotes for individual fragments can act as markers in genome mapping.

RAPD stands for random amplification of polymorphic DNA. It is a type of PCR reaction, but the segments of DNA that are amplified are random. The scientist performing RAPD creates several arbitrary, short primers (8-12 nucleotides), then proceeds with the PCR using a large template of genomic DNA, hoping that fragments will amplify.