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?
Correct Answer D. 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct answer: (d) 2 and 3
Statement 1 is incorrect: DNA barcoding identifies species, it doesn’t date them — age is measured via radiometric methods like carbon-14 dating. Statement 2 is correct: it reliably tells apart species that look identical. Statement 3 is correct: it’s used to detect adulteration and undeclared ingredients in processed food.