Consider the following statements:DNA Barcoding can be a tool to:1.assess the age of a plant or animal.2.distinguish among species that look alike.3.identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A

   1 only

   1 only. Barcoding does not date an organism the way rings or radiocarbon do.

2. B

   3 only

   3 only. Look-alike species ID is also a core use.

3. C

   1 and 2

   1 and 2. Statement 1 fails.

4. D

   2 and 3

   2 and 3. DNA barcodes separate cryptic species and can flag undeclared animal/plant matter in foods. Not an ageing tool.

Summary. Official key is (d) 2 and 3. DNA barcoding (COI and other loci) distinguishes similar-looking species and can detect adulteration in processed foods. It does not measure age.