UPSC Prelims 2022 · Question 99 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2022 question on DNA Barcoding
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2022
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectScience and Technology
- TopicBiotechnology
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
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?
Show answer
Answer: D. 2 and 3
Verdict
Correct statements: 2 and 3 → Option (d) 2 and 3.
Statement by statement
Statement 1 – INCORRECT: DNA barcoding is the identification of a species by the characteristic sequence of a standard short section of DNA in its genome. It is done by comparing an individual DNA sequence with a reference library of such DNA sections (called sequences). DNA barcoding is NOT known to be used for the assessment of age of living organisms. Hence option 1 is not correct.
Statement 2 – CORRECT: DNA barcoding will allow users to efficiently recognize known species and speed the discovery of species yet to be found in nature. DNA barcodes effectively distinguish among species — for example, barcodes used in distinguishing species of tropical Lepidoptera. Hence option 2 is correct.
Statement 3 – CORRECT: The introduction of DNA barcoding represents a promising approach for food authentication. DNA barcoding techniques were used to explore the composition of roasted barley tea exported from a certain country from China but returned due to detection of other undesirable plant components. Hence option 3 is correct.
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