What is DNA barcoding?
DNA barcoding is the identification of a species by the characteristic sequence of a standard short section of DNA in its genome.
How DNA barcoding is done?
DNA barcoding has three main steps: DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and DNA sequencing and analysis.
DNA barcoding is done by comparing an individual DNA sequence with a reference library of such DNA sections (called sequences).
Why DNA barcoding has been very successful when applied to seafood?
The introduction of DNA barcoding represents a promising approach for food authentication, being broadly applied in fish species. DNA barcoding has been successful when applied to seafood because the
number of species is high in comparison to other animal sources, such as cattle, sheep, goat, and horse,
enhancing the effectiveness of the approach.
Why DNA barcoding is significant?
DNA barcoding is used for more than just research – it can also help address problems with broad impacts on all areas in which society interacts with biodiversity.
Some practical applications include pest and disease control, food production and safety, resource management, biodiversity conservation, and education.
DNA barcoding will allow users to efficiently recognize known species and speed the discovery of species yet to be found in nature.
What does DNA barcodes consist of?
DNA barcodes consist of a standardized short sequence of DNA (400–800 bp) that in principle should be easily generated and characterized for all species on the planet.
Also refer DNA metabarcoding https://fotisedu.com/dna-metabarcoding/
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES . Consider the following statements: UPSC 2022
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?
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 3
Ans (d) DNA barcoding is not known to be used for the assessment of age of living organisms. Hence statement 1 is not correct. There have been reports of DNA barcodes used in distinguishing species of tropical Lepidoptera (an order of insects that includes butterflies and moths which are similar). DNA barcodes effectively distinguish among species in three Lepidoptera families from Area de Conservación Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica. Hence statement 2 is correct. DNA barcoding techniques were used to explore the composition of roasted barley tea (Hordeum vulgare), which was exported to a certain country from China but then returned, due to the detection of other undesirable plant components present. Contaminants were found. Hence statement 3 is correct.
