Question

Why are molecular criteria mentioned as important for classifying prokaryotes?

Options

• Because prokaryotes do not have conventional taxonomic features

• Because prokaryotic diversity alone may run into millions of species when using molecular criteria for classification

• Because molecular criteria are easier to apply than conventional taxonomy

• Because molecular criteria are the only way to identify prokaryotes

Answer 1

Molecular criteria are important for prokaryotic classification because when such criteria are used, prokaryotic diversity alone is estimated to run into millions of species. This is far higher than estimates based on conventional taxonomy, indicating that molecular approaches reveal the true extent of prokaryotic diversity that conventional methods fail to capture.