Which of the Following is TRUE About Research on the Human

Question

Which of the following is TRUE about research on the human microbiome?
A) Advanced nucleic acid sequencing techniques were needed before a good understanding of its microbial abundance and diversity could be developed.
B) Culture-dependent techniques fully elucidated its microbial diversity.
C) Cultivation was unimportant in studying its microbial diversity.
D) None of the answers are correct.

Accepted Answer

Advanced nucleic acid sequencing techniques such as metagenomics and metatranscriptomics were crucial in understanding the human microbiome's microbial abundance and diversity, as they allow researchers to study the genetic material of microbes without the need for cultivation. Culture-dependent techniques were limited in their ability to identify and classify microbial species.