Over 100 microbial genomes have been sequenced; beyond yielding insight into microbial genomes,these sequencing projects have been important because:
A) they developed the techniques that allowed for the Human Genome Project
B) knowing how many chromosomes a microbe has lets us know if it causes disease
C) without the sequence of the genome we can not tell what the organism uses as its genetic material
D) it demonstrated that microorganisms do not cause infectious diseases.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sequencing projects for microbial genomes were significant in developing the techniques necessary for sequencing the human genome.

Answer: B
 The number of chromosomes a microbe has does not necessarily indicate if it causes disease. Many bacteria that cause diseases have only one chromosome, while some non-pathogenic microbes may have multiple chromosomes.

Answer: C
 It is possible to tell what an organism uses as its genetic material through methods like DNA extraction and PCR, even without sequencing its genome.

Answer: D
 This statement is incorrect; microorganisms can and do cause infectious diseases, and sequencing their genomes can provide valuable information about virulence factors and potential treatment options.

Over 100 Microbial Genomes Have Been Sequenced; Beyond Yielding Insight