Question

Genomics is the study of biological processes from the perspective of the whole genome. Genomics includes several specific areas of study. Identify the type of genomics employed in each of the examples below. Terms may be used more than once.

a. structural genomics
b. functional genomics
c. evolutionary genomics
d. metagenomics

1. DNA that represented approximately 1800 different genomes was isolated from the Sargasso Sea.
2. This method was used to identify members of the human hemoglobin gene family. The members of this gene family descended from a single ancestral gene
3. Genes were identified in a novel bacteriophage genome using bioinformatics programs that use algorithms to look for common features of open reading frames.
4. Genomes of several species of bacteria were compared to identify common organization of genes
5. A sample of contaminated ground water was sequenced to identify the species diversity and relative abundance of bacteria in the sample.
6. A protein domain in a protein with unknown function was identified as an ion channel.

Answer 1

Each example relates to different genomics subfields such as metagenomics (environmental studies of genomes), evolutionary (gene family histories), structural (genome structure), and functional (gene and protein functions). These fields help researchers understand the full scope of genetic information.

Step-by-step explanation:

Genomics is the study of whole genomes, and encompasses various specialized fields. Each type of genomics provides a different perspective or methodology to understand genetic information and organize biological data. Here, we identify the type of genomics used in given scenarios:

1. Metagenomics: DNA isolated from the Sargasso Sea representing numerous genomes pertains to the study of genomic content in environmental samples.
2. Evolutionary genomics: Identifying human hemoglobin gene family members from a common ancestral gene is related to evolutionary genomic studies.
3. Structural genomics: Bioinformatics programs that identify genes in a novel bacteriophage genome focus on the structure of genomic elements.
4. Comparative genomics: Comparing bacteria genomes to identify gene organization falls under comparative genomics, a subfield of genomics.
5. Metagenomics: Sequencing contaminated groundwater to check species diversity and their abundance is again metagenomics.
6. Functional genomics: Identifying a protein domain as an ion channel deals with its function, representing functional genomics.

The genomic studies mentioned involve metagenomics for analyzing environmental DNA, evolutionary genomics for gene family history, structural genomics for genome organization, and functional genomics for protein functionality.