[Campbell Biology P.465] Which of the following statements accurately describes a distinguis... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements accurately describes a distinguishing characteristic of 'third-generation sequencing' as presented in the text, compared to earlier methods?

  • A: It requires the amplification of DNA fragments before sequencing.
  • B: It is generally slower and more expensive than next-generation sequencing.
  • C: It primarily sequences very long DNA molecules on their own without fragmentation or amplification.
  • D: It relies on chemical techniques that enable electronic monitors to identify nucleotides added one at a time.

Explanation

The text states: "More and more often, next-generation sequencing is complemented or in some cases replaced by 'third-generation sequencing,' with each new technique being faster and less expensive than the previous one. In some new methods, the DNA is neither cut into fragments nor amplified. Instead, a single, very long DNA molecule is sequenced on its own."