Markery molekularne, ich charakterystyka genetyczna oraz wybrane zastosowania w analizie genetycznej roślin

The presented paper gives an insight into the genetic background of molecular diversity at the DNA level. Its potential sources, classified into two maincategories depending on whether they lead to DNA sequence alternations (pointmutations, insertions, deletions, chromosomal rearrangements, mobile elementsetc.) or changes in DNA methylation pattern, are discussed in parallel to their‘molecular markers’. A general overview ofthe most important sequences responsible for genetic variability (micro-, mini-, midi- and macrosatellites; transposones and retrotransposones) is given. Special attention is paid to different typesof molecular marker systems and their most important applications. Moleculartechniques are divided into several groups depending on the enzymes they use(endonucleases, T4 DNA ligase, Taq DNA polymerase or their combinations). Finally, investigation carried out with molecular markers in somaclonal embriogenesis is discussed.