Question:
SARS-CoV-2 is hypothesised to have jumped from bats to pangolins before infecting humans. Which one (or more) of the following methods can be effectively used for testing this hypothesis?
SARS-CoV-2 is hypothesised to have jumped from bats to pangolins before infecting humans. Which one (or more) of the following methods can be effectively used for testing this hypothesis?
Show Hint
Genomic comparison and evolutionary trees trace viral origins.
Updated On: Dec 24, 2025
- Comparative genomics
- DNA fingerprinting
- Phylogenetics
- Transgenesis
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is A, C
Solution and Explanation
To examine the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 jumped from bats to pangolins before infecting humans, several scientific methods can be employed. Let’s review the options provided:
- Comparative genomics: This method involves comparing the genomes of different organisms to identify similarities and differences. In this context, scientists would analyze the genetic sequences of SARS-CoV-2 found in bats, pangolins, and humans. By doing so, researchers can trace evolutionary relationships and transmission pathways.
Comparative genomics is effective for testing this hypothesis because you'll be able to identify genetic markers that suggest the virus passed through certain species (such as pangolins) before infecting humans. - DNA fingerprinting: This technique is commonly used for individual genetic identification, typically in forensic investigations. While DNA fingerprinting is less applicable for tracing virus evolution across species, it might help in analyzing variations within populations. However, it is not the best tool for examining interspecies transmission of viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
Thus, DNA fingerprinting is not a primary method for testing the given hypothesis. - Phylogenetics: This method studies the evolutionary relationships among species by constructing a phylogenetic tree. For viral studies, phylogenetics helps identify which viruses are more closely related to each other by comparing sequences. This approach is crucial in understanding how SARS-CoV-2 might have evolved and transmitted between bats, pangolins, and humans.
Phylogenetics is highly relevant and useful for this hypothesis as it provides a visual representation of evolutionary pathways. - Transgenesis: This is a method of introducing a foreign gene into an organism. While valuable for genetic research and biotechnology, transgenesis does not offer insight into natural transmission pathways or evolutionary relationships between viruses in different hosts.
Therefore, transgenesis is not suitable for testing the hypothesis of interspecies viral transmission.
Conclusion: Both Comparative genomics and Phylogenetics are effective methods for testing the hypothesis regarding the interspecies transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top GATE EY Applied Ecology & Evolution Questions
- The intermediate disturbance hypothesis was proposed to explain patterns of:
- Individual lizards were repeatedly presented with a predator model. Over successive trials, they showed a reduction in the duration of their alarm response. Which one of the following is this an example of?
- Among the following vertebrate classes, biparental care is most common in:
- A classical metapopulation at equilibrium is made up of local populations with:
- The population size at which net recruitment is the highest is also when the greatest amount can be harvested, while ensuring the long-term survival of the population. The amount harvested at this population size is known as:
View More Questions
Top GATE EY Diseases Questions
Top GATE EY Questions
- If '\(\rightarrow\)' denotes increasing order of intensity, then the meaning of the words [\textit{simmer} \(\rightarrow\) \textit{seethe} \(\rightarrow\) \textit{smolder}] is analogous to [\textit{break} \(\rightarrow\) \textit{raze} \(\rightarrow\) \_\_\_\_\_\_]. Which one of the given options is appropriate to fill the blank?
- In a locality, the houses are numbered in the following way:The house-numbers on one side of a road are consecutive odd integers starting from \(301\), while the house-numbers on the other side of the road are consecutive even numbers starting from \(302\). The total number of houses is the same on both sides of the road. If the difference of the sum of the house-numbers between the two sides of the road is \(27\), then the number of houses on each side of the road is:
- For positive integers \( p \) and \( q \), with \( \frac{p}{q} \neq 1 \), \( \left( \frac{p}{q} \right)^q = p^{q-1 \). Then, which of the following is true?}
- Which one of the given options is a possible value of \(x\) in the following sequence? 3, 7, 15, x, 63, 127, 255
- On a given day, how many times will the second-hand and the minute-hand of a clock cross each other during the clock time 12:05:00 hours to 12:55:00 hours?
View More Questions