Q99. Consider the following statements: DNA Barcoding can be a tool to:
- Assess the age of a plant or animal.
- Distinguish among species that look alike.
- Identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 2
d) 2 and 3
Answer – D
- DNA barcoding is a method of species identification using a short section of DNA from a specific gene or genes.
- Option 1 is incorrect: Geologists use the Carbon Dating method Carbon-14 to measure the age of plant and animal remains from the more recent past.
- Option 2 is correct: DNA barcodes allow non-experts to objectively identify species. The unique pattern of bars in a universal product code (UPC) identifies each consumer product, a “DNA barcode” is a unique pattern of DNA sequence that can potentially identify each living thing.
- Option 3 is correct. cpDNA and mtDNA barcoding protocols are being used more and more in the food industry and food supply chains for food labeling, not only to support food safety but also to uncover food piracy in freshly commercialized and technologically processed products. DNA barcoding helps to identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.
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