UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2022

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

Answer

Correct Answer

2 and 3

Explanation

DNA barcoding uses short standardized genetic markers to distinguish between morphologically similar species (2) and to identify undesirable animal/plant materials in processed foods (3). It is not typically used to assess the age of an organism (1).

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