Technology & Biology

Bar-Coding Life

Until recently, classification has been a time-consuming process. A new project hopes to make identifying species as simple as scanning a supermarket bar code. It combines DNA sequencing with miniature computers, data processing, and the Internet.

To make this work, researchers picked a segment of DNA that all animals carry, the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (CO1) gene. (A chloroplast gene will probably be used for plants). Each base in the DNA sequence of CO1 is shown as a color-coded stripe, making it easy to spot differences between the barcodes of two specimens. The results are stored in a database.

Closely related species have similar bar codes. Species that are not closely related have bar codes that are very different from one another.

In the future, a researcher will be able to take a tiny sample of tissue or hair, analyze it using a portable device, and get a report on closest matches. Recent versions of this software even use maps to show where similar specimens have been collected before.

Images of a hermit thrush and an American robin and two bar codes.d

WRITING

Learn more about DNA bar-coding on the Internet. Then write a paragraph describing another possible use for the DNA bar-coding technology.

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Table of Contents

Miller & Levine Biology
About the Authors
Changing the World of Biology Education
Contents
Diversity of Life: A Visual Guide DOL•1–DOL•64
Labs and Activities
Features
UNIT 1 The Nature of Life
1 The Science of Biology
2 The Chemistry of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 2 Ecology
3 The Biosphere
4 Ecosystems and Communities
5 Populations
6 Humans in the Biosphere
Unit Project
UNIT 3 Cells
7 Cell Structure and Function
8 Photosynthesis
9 Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
10 Cell Growth and Division
Unit Project
UNIT 4 Genetics
11 Introduction to Genetics
12 DNA
13 RNA and Protein Synthesis
14 Human Heredity
15 Genetic Engineering
Unit Project
UNIT 5 Evolution
16 Darwin's Theory of Evolution
17 Evolution of Populations
18 Classification
19 History of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 6 From Microorganisms to Plants
20 Viruses and Prokaryotes
21 Protists and Fungi
22 Introduction to Plants
23 Plant Structure and Function
24 Plant Reproduction and Response
Unit Project
UNIT 7 Animals
25 Introduction to Animals
26 Animal Evolution and Diversity
27 Animal Systems I
28 Animal Systems II
29 Animal Behavior
Unit Project
UNIT 8 The Human Body
30 Digestive and Excretory Systems
31 Nervous System
32 Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary Systems
33 Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
34 Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
35 Immune System and Disease
Unit Project
A Visual Guide to The Diversity of Life
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
THE TREE OF LIFE
Bacteria
Protists
Fungi
Plants
Animals
Appendices
Appendix A Science Skills
Appendix B Lab Skills
Appendix C Technology & Design
Appendix D Math Skills
Appendix E Periodic Table
Glossary
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q, R
S
T
U
V
W
X, Y, Z
Index
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Credits
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