Question

while researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:

• organisms release cellular material into their environment by shedding substances such as hair or skin.
• the dna in these substances is known as environmental dna, or edna.
• researchers collect and analyze edna to detect the presence of species that are difficult to observe.
• geneticist sara oyler-mccances research team analyzed edna in water samples from the florida everglades to detect invasive constrictor snake species in the area.
• the study determined a 91% probability of detecting burmese python edna in a given location.

the student wants to present the study to an audience already familiar with environmental dna. which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
choose 1 answer:
a researchers found burmese python edna, or environmental dna, in water samples; edna is the dna in released cellular materials, such as shed skin cells.
b an analysis of edna can detect the presence of invasive species that are difficult to observe, such as constrictor snakes.
c sara oyler-mccances researchers analyzed environmental dna (edna) - that is, dna from cellular materials released by organisms - in water samples from the florida everglades.
d sara oyler-mccances researchers analyzed edna in water samples from the florida everglades for evidence of invasive constrictor snakes, which are difficult to observe.

Explanation:

The audience is already familiar with eDNA. Options A and C repeat basic eDNA info (like what eDNA is) which is redundant. Option D focuses too much on the researcher and location. Option B directly states the key use of eDNA (detecting hard - to - observe invasive species) which is relevant and concise for the informed audience.

Answer:

B. An analysis of eDNA can detect the presence of invasive species that are difficult to observe, such as constrictor snakes.