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Whole-Genome Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing
hard

Which of the following statements accurately describe the advantages of using whole-genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing in studying microbial communities? Select all that apply.

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Choose the Best Answer

A

It allows for the identification of both known and unknown species.

B

It requires prior knowledge of the organisms present in the sample.

C

It provides insights into the functional capabilities of the microbial community.

D

It can sequence all DNA, including that from viruses and other non-bacterial entities.

E

It is limited to sequencing only a specific region of a genome.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

Whole‑genome shotgun metagenomics sequences every DNA fragment in a sample, so it can detect both common and rare microbes without needing prior knowledge of their marker genes. Because it captures all genes, it lets researchers identify metabolic pathways, antibiotic resistance genes, and mobile genetic elements that marker‑gene methods miss. The high‑resolution data also allow strain‑level differentiation and can reveal viral or plasmid sequences that 16S rRNA sequencing would overlook. For example, sequencing a human gut sample uncovered a low‑abundance pathogen and its carbapenem‑resistance gene, something a standard 16S survey would have missed.

Detailed Explanation

Shotgun sequencing reads all DNA fragments, so it can spot species that scientists already know and new ones that were not seen before. Other options are incorrect because Some think you need to know the microbes first, but shotgun reads everything without guessing; Some think shotgun only tells who is there, not what they can do.

Key Concepts

Whole-Genome Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing
Microbial Community Analysis
Functional Genomics
Topic

Whole-Genome Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing

Difficulty

hard level question

Cognitive Level

understand

Practice Similar Questions

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Question 1

What is the importance of DNA extraction techniques in Whole-Genome Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing?

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Question 2

Which bioinformatics tool is crucial for analyzing data from Whole-Genome Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing and what are some future directions that this field might take to enhance microbial community understanding?

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Question 3

How does Whole-Genome Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing contribute to the understanding of microbiome dynamics in various environments?

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Question 4

How does the cost-effectiveness of Whole-Genome Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing (WGS) influence future directions in metagenomics research?

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Question 5

What is the primary reason why whole-genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing is preferred over targeted sequencing methods in analyzing microbial communities?

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6
Question 6

Which of the following statements best describes the significance of whole-genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing in studying microbial communities?

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7
Question 7

What is a primary advantage of whole-genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing over traditional sequencing methods?

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8
Question 8

How does whole-genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing enhance our understanding of microbial communities in the human microbiome?

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9
Question 9

Whole-genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing allows researchers to obtain a comprehensive view of the genetic content of a microbial community, including the ability to identify different __________ present in the sample.

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