Learning Path
Question & Answer1
Understand Question2
Review Options3
Learn Explanation4
Explore TopicChoose the Best Answer
A
It allows for the identification of microbial species without the need for growth in a culture.
B
It requires the cultivation of bacteria in a lab setting to obtain accurate results.
C
It is exclusively used for determining antibiotic resistance in cultured bacteria.
D
It provides a method to analyze viral DNA sequences.
Understanding the Answer
Let's break down why this is correct
Answer
16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing lets scientists identify and compare bacteria directly from environmental samples, bypassing the need to grow them in a lab. By amplifying and sequencing the conserved 16S gene, researchers can match sequences to known organisms or discover new ones. This approach reveals the full range of microbes present, including those that are hard or impossible to culture. The method also lets us build phylogenetic trees to see how different species are related and to track changes in community composition over time. For example, sequencing a soil sample can uncover dozens of bacterial species, many of which would never be isolated by traditional culturing.
Detailed Explanation
16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing reads a specific part of bacterial DNA that is present in all bacteria but varies slightly between species. Other options are incorrect because B suggests that growth of bacteria is necessary for sequencing; C states that the technique is only for antibiotic resistance.
Key Concepts
sequencing methods
culture-independent methods
Topic
16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequencing
Difficulty
medium 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 3How does 16S Ribosomal RNA gene sequencing contribute to metagenomics and taxonomy through culture-independent methods?
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4
Question 4What is the primary purpose of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing in microbiome studies?
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5
Question 5In 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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6
Question 6Arrange the steps for using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing to classify bacterial species in a microbial community.
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7
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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9
Question 9Which of the following statements about 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing are correct? (Select all that apply)
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