What is the process of determining the exact order of base pairs in a segment of DNA known as?

The process of determining the exact order of base pairs in a segment of DNA is known as DNA sequencing. This technique allows scientists to read the precise sequence of nucleotides—adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine—in a DNA strand. DNA sequencing plays a crucial role in various fields such as genomics, molecular biology, and medicine, enabling researchers to understand genetic information, identify mutations, and study genetic variation among individuals or species.

In contrast, DNA profiling involves analyzing specific regions of DNA for identification purposes, often used in forensic science. Gene cloning is the process of creating copies of a specific gene, and genetic mapping refers to the process of determining the location of genes on a chromosome. Each of these processes serves a different purpose within genetics and molecular biology, but DNA sequencing specifically focuses on the exact linear arrangement of nucleotides in DNA.