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Question & Answer1
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Explore TopicChoose the Best Answer
A
It allows for the identification of microbial communities without the need for culturing organisms.
B
It solely focuses on the metabolic pathways of individual microorganisms.
C
It requires the cultivation of bacteria in laboratory settings to obtain accurate results.
D
It limits the analysis to only pathogenic species present in a sample.
Understanding the Answer
Let's break down why this is correct
Answer
16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing lets scientists identify bacteria directly from environmental samples without growing them in the lab, because the 16S gene is present in all bacteria and has both conserved and variable regions that act like a barcode. By amplifying and sequencing this gene from a mixed community, researchers can catalog which organisms are present and estimate their relative abundances, a core part of metagenomic studies. The variable regions provide species‑level resolution, allowing taxonomists to place each organism in a phylogenetic tree and compare it to known species. For example, sequencing the 16S gene from a soil sample might reveal that 30 % of the bacteria belong to the genus *Pseudomonas*, 20 % to *Bacillus*, and 10 % to a previously unknown lineage, all without culturing any of them. This culture‑independent approach expands our understanding of microbial diversity and informs ecological and evolutionary research.
Detailed Explanation
The 16S rRNA gene is found in every bacterium and has parts that stay the same and parts that change. Other options are incorrect because Some think 16S sequencing tells us about the chemicals a microbe makes; A common mistake is to believe that bacteria must be grown first.
Key Concepts
metagenomics
taxonomy
culture-independent methods
Topic
16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequencing
Difficulty
hard level question
Cognitive Level
understand
Practice Similar Questions
Test your understanding with related questions
1
Question 1Which of the following statements best explains the significance of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing in identifying bacterial species as genetic markers?
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2
Question 2In the context of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, which approach allows for the identification of microbial taxa without the need for culture methods?
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3
Question 3Which of the following best describes the significance of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing in understanding microbial communities through culture-independent methods?
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Question 4How has 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing revolutionized bacterial identification in clinical diagnostics, particularly through the use of genetic markers?
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Question 5What is the primary purpose of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing in microbiome studies?
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6
Question 6In the context of classifying bacterial species through genomic approaches, 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing specifically targets the ________ gene, which is known for its high degree of conservation across different bacterial taxa.
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Question 7How does 16S rRNA gene sequencing contribute to understanding the human microbiome?
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8
Question 8What underlying mechanism explains why 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing can effectively classify diverse bacterial species in a complex microbial population?
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Question 9Whole-Genome Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing : Comprehensive Genetic Analysis :: 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequencing : ?
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