Organisms in Natural Environments Can Be Detected by Assaying for the Presence

Question

Organisms in natural environments can be detected by assaying for the presence of their genes.

Accepted Answer

Organisms leave behind genetic material in their environment through shedding, excretion, or decomposition. By assaying for specific genes or DNA sequences, scientists can detect the presence of these organisms in their natural environment without relying on direct visual observation. This technique is known as environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis and has been used to detect a wide range of species, including rare or elusive ones that are difficult to observe through traditional methods.