Prokaryotic Diversity: Estimation Challenges — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptIt should be noted that these estimates do not give any figures for prokaryotes. Biologists are not sure about how many prokaryotic species there might be. The problem is that conventional taxonomic methods are not suitable for identifying microbial species and many species are simply not culturable under laboratory conditions. If we accept biochemical or molecular criteria for delineating species for this group, then their diversity alone might run into millions.
Which of the following statements correctly explain the challenges in estimating prokaryotic diversity? S1: Robert May's global species diversity estimates explicitly include a precise count for prokaryotes based on extensive inventories. S2: Conventional taxonomic methods are often not suitable for accurately identifying and classifying microbial species. S3: A significant proportion of prokaryotic species are considered unculturable under typical laboratory conditions. S4: The use of biochemical or molecular criteria for species delineation would likely lead to an estimation of prokaryotic diversity running into millions. S5: The rapid reproduction rate of prokaryotes via binary fission simplifies their enumeration and species differentiation, thus reducing estimation challenges.
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