In 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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In bacterial classification, 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing focuses on the 16S rRNA gene, a component of the small subunit of the ribosome. This gene is highly conserved, meaning its sequence changes very slowly over evolutionary time, which makes it useful for comparing different bacteria. Because of this conservation, the same gene can be amplified and sequenced across many species, allowing researchers to see how closely related they are. For example, sequencing the 16S rRNA gene of a soil bacterium and comparing it to a database can reveal whether it belongs to the same genus as a known pathogen. Thus, the 16S rRNA gene is the target used in genomic approaches to identify and classify bacterial species.

In 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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