fingerprint (redirected from fingerprints)

fingerprint /fin·ger·print/ (-print)

1. an impression of the cutaneous ridges of the fleshy distal portion of a finger.

2. in biochemistry, the characteristic pattern of a peptide after subjection to an analytical technique.

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fin·ger·print (fnggr-prnt)

n.

1. An impression on a surface of the curves formed by the ridges on a fingertip, especially such an impression made in ink and used as a means of identification.

2. A distinctive or identifying mark or characteristic.

3. An analytical method capable of making fine distinctions between similar compounds.

v.

1. To take fingerprints of.

2. To identify by a distinctive mark or characteristic.

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fingerprint,

an image left on a smooth surface by the pattern of the pad of a distal phalanx. The distinctive pattern of loops and whorls represents the fine ridges marking the skin. Because each individual's fingerprints are unique, a classification system of the patterns is useful in identifying individuals.

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Fingerprint

Chemistry The ‘signature(s)’ that a chemical compound and its metabolites have when analysed by a highly sensitive technique—e.g., HPLC or GC-MS—which may be stored on a computer’s hard disk and electronically matched—‘fingerprinted’—with an unknown specimen for the purpose of identification
Dermatology An inked impression of the fleshy part of the distal phalanx of the finger, which may be classified per the Galton arch-loop-whorl system; increased ulnar loops and decreased whorls and arches have been reported in males with Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome
Molecular biology AA pattern of bands on an agarose gel produced by a clone when restricted by a particular enzyme, e.g., HindIII

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fingerprint [fing´ger-print]

1. an impression of the cutaneous ridges of the fleshy distal portion of a finger.

2. in biochemistry, the characteristic pattern of a peptide after subjection to an analytical technique.

DNA fingerprint (genetic fingerprint) the highly specific hybridization pattern generated by tandem repeats and other patterns of the DNA in an individual's genome.

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fingerprint

see restriction fragment length polymorphism.