Consider the following statements: DNA Barcoding can be a tool to: 1. assess the age of a plant or animal. 2…

Consider the following statements: DNA Barcoding can be a tool to: 1. assess the age of a plant or animal. 2. distinguish among species that look alike. 3. identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  1. 1 only
  2. 3 only
  3. 1 and 2
  4. 2 and 3

Solution

DNA barcoding identifies species using short DNA sequences; it can distinguish cryptic look-alike species (2 correct) and detect adulteration in processed foods (3 correct). It cannot assess age (1 incorrect).

Asked in: UPSC Prelims 2022

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