Final answer:
Metagenomics is the study of genetic material from environmental samples, focusing on the collective genomes from microbial communities. It involves isolating and sequencing DNA from these communities, enabling the reconstruction of genomes and analysis of interactions within the environmental niche. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metagenomics refers to the study of genetic material from environmental samples, which allows researchers to examine the genomes from microbial communities within those samples. This field has transformed the way scientists approach studying microbes, particularly those that are either difficult or impossible to culture in a laboratory setting.
Metagenomics enables the analysis of the collective genomes of multiple species that inhabit the same environmental niche, thereby providing insights that were previously not accessible through traditional microbiology methods.
The process of metagenomics involves isolating DNA from an environmental sample, which can consist of soil, water, or even samples from the human body, such as gut flora. The extracted DNA is then sequenced, and researchers can use this data to reconstruct genome sequences from the overlapping fragments, identifying new species and analyzing their interactions.
This not only aids in the discovery of new species but also helps in the assessment of the effects of pollutants on the environment or the study of microbial communities' influence on different ecosystems.