Question

select all that apply
small subunit rrna gene sequencing has become a method of choice for both ______.

determining the metabolic pathways used by microorganisms
assigning microbes to taxonomic groups
comparing the genomes of microorganisms
inferring the phylogeny of microorganisms

need help? review these concept resources.

read about the concept

Explanation:

Small subunit rRNA (16S rRNA for prokaryotes, 18S rRNA for eukaryotes) is a conserved, slowly evolving gene. Its sequence variation is used to classify microbes into taxonomic groups and to reconstruct evolutionary relationships (phylogeny) between microorganisms. It does not directly reveal metabolic pathways, and it only sequences one specific gene, not entire genomes.

Answer:

• B. assigning microbes to taxonomic groups
• D. inferring the phylogeny of microorganisms