Identifying species using short standardised gene regions such as COI in animals.
COI (cytochrome c oxidase I) for animals, rbcL and matK for plants, ITS for fungi. The Barcode of Life Data System holds millions of records. Limitations include hybridisation and incomplete libraries.
Barcodes reveal cryptic species and help identify larvae, fragments and processed products. Reference libraries must be complete.
Key idea: a short DNA sequence can label a species.
Identifying species using short standardised gene regions such as COI in animals.
DNA Barcoding is one of the 52 topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Latitudinal Diversity Gradient, Linnaeus, Binomial Nomenclature.
Barcoding exposed mislabelled fish in markets.
Work through the Beginner topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity first, such as Taxonomy, Binomial Nomenclature, Taxonomic Hierarchy, then return to DNA Barcoding. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to DNA Barcoding are Latitudinal Diversity Gradient, Linnaeus, Binomial Nomenclature, Taxonomy. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for DNA Barcoding. To practise the whole of Taxonomy & Biodiversity, use the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz.
DNA Barcoding: Identifying species using short standardised gene regions such as COI in animals. Latitudinal Diversity Gradient: Species richness generally increases from poles toward the tropics. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Latitudinal Diversity Gradient and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Species richness generally increases from poles toward the tropics.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityCarl Linnaeus, the 18th-century Swedish scientist who established the modern hierarchical classification system.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityLinnaeus's two-part naming system using genus and species, such as Homo sapiens.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityThe science of naming, describing and classifying organisms.
🗂️ Taxonomy & Biodiversity