Question

Rice was chosen as the first cereal crop for whole genome sequencing primarily because of which TWO characteristics?

Options

• Large genome size and high nutritional value

• Low repetitive DNA content and small number of genes

• Simple chromosome structure and short life cycle

• Small genome size and importance as a major food crop

Answer 1

Rice was chosen as the first cereal crop for whole genome sequencing because it is a major global food crop (feeding half the world's population) and has the smallest genome size (400–430 Mb) among major cereals, making it most feasible to sequence.