164. The taxonomic method of identifying an organism to its species is:
(1) Genetic speciation
(2) DNA barcoding
(3) RFLP
(4) AFLP
DNA Barcoding for Species Identification: A Powerful Taxonomic Method
DNA barcoding has revolutionized taxonomy by enabling accurate, fast, and standardized identification of species through genetic analysis. Unlike traditional morphological methods, which can be time-consuming and require expert knowledge, DNA barcoding offers a molecular-based approach that is precise and reproducible.
What is DNA Barcoding?
DNA barcoding is a taxonomic technique that involves sequencing a short, standardized region of an organism’s DNA and comparing it with a reference database to identify the species.
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For animals, the most commonly used barcode region is the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene located in mitochondrial DNA.
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For plants, rbcL and matK genes from chloroplast DNA are typically used.
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For fungi, the ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) region is often the marker of choice.
This method relies on the fact that each species has a unique DNA sequence in these regions, allowing for rapid identification even from small or degraded samples.
