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Q69 (IAS/2023) Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Health › Genomics and DNA technologies Official Key

'Aerial metagenomics' best refers to which one of the following situations?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 1.

Aerial metagenomics is a cutting-edge biomonitoring technique that involves collecting and sequencing environmental DNA (eDNA) directly from the air. In a single sampling process, scientists can capture genetic material shed by various organisms—including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals—within a specific habitat.

  • Why Option 1 is correct: Unlike traditional methods that require physical sightings or invasive sampling, aerial metagenomics analyzes the "genetic soup" present in the atmosphere to profile entire ecosystems simultaneously.
  • Why other options are incorrect: Option 2 refers to specific avian genetics, not broad environmental sampling. Options 3 and 4 describe mechanical methods of physical sample collection (blood, plants, or water) rather than the metagenomic analysis of ambient air.

This technique is revolutionary for tracking biodiversity, detecting invasive species, and monitoring endangered wildlife in a non-invasive, comprehensive manner.

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Q. 'Aerial metagenomics' best refers to which one of the following situations? [A] Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go …
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Origin: Mixed / unclear origin Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 0/10
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This is a classic 'Etymological Sitter'. It wasn't in standard books, but the term itself reveals the answer. 'Aerial' = Air, 'Metagenomics' = Genomic analysis of a mixed community. If you relied on rote learning, you failed; if you used root-word logic, you scored.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
What is the definition of "aerial metagenomics" in environmental genomics?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 1: Ecology > r.3.6. Biosphere > p. 10
Strength: 5/5
“Occasionally spores of fungi and bacteria do occur at great height beyond 8,ooo metres, but they are not metabolically active, and hence represent only dormant life. The energy required for the life within the biosphere comes from the sun. The nutrients necessary for living organisms come from air, water and soil; the same chemicals are recycled over and again for life to continue. Living organisms are not uniformly distributed throughout the biosphere. Only a few organisms live in the polar regions, while the tropical rain forests have an exceedingly rich diversity of plants and animais Goo/o of Global Biodiversity). All Rights Reserved.”
Why relevant

Notes that spores of fungi and bacteria occur at great heights in the atmosphere (airborne microbial life), establishing that the air carries microbial communities.

How to extend

A student could infer that studying those airborne microbial communities (their DNA) would be a logical target for a method called 'aerial metagenomics'.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY > Operational Environment > p. 2
Strength: 4/5
“It is basically a systematic study of biotic and abiotic attributes of ecosystems in the context of space and their mutual relationships as well as the spatial implications of such inter-relationships. Te fundamental unit of study of environmental geography is the biosphere.”
Why relevant

Defines environmental study as systematic examination of biotic and abiotic attributes in space, emphasising spatial context for organisms.

How to extend

One could extend this to justify a spatially focused genomic survey (e.g., sampling air in different locations/altitudes) as part of 'aerial' metagenomic work.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > 5.I3. BIOREMEDIATION > p. 99
Strength: 4/5
“• r Bioremediation is the use of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) to degrade the environmental contaminants into less toxic forms, • r The microorganisms may be indigenous to a contaminated area or they may be isolated from elsewhere and brought to the contaminated site. '! The process of bioremediation can be monitored indirectly by measuring the Oxidation Reduction Potential or redox in soil and groundwater, together with pH, temperature, oxygen content, electron acceptor/donor concentrations, and concentration of breakdown product(s. e.g. carbon dioxide)'}]}<|im_start|>user”
Why relevant

Describes use of microorganisms to monitor and degrade contaminants and the importance of measuring microbial activity/indicators in environments.

How to extend

A student might infer that metagenomic sequencing (culture-independent detection of microbial DNA) is a complementary way to characterise airborne microbes relevant to environmental monitoring.

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Our scientific heritage > p. 19
Strength: 3/5
“Manure formation occurs at optimal temperature and appropriate moisture level. Isn't it interesting? By now, you must have understood that bacteria and some fungi are types of microorganisms that play an important role in our lives. And guess what, these helpful bacteria can also decompose animal wastes like dung! From Activity 2.7, we can also infer that microorganisms not only help in plant growth, but also clean our environment by breaking down waste.”
Why relevant

Emphasises that microorganisms are invisible to the naked eye yet play major environmental roles and can be studied via activities/experiments.

How to extend

This supports the idea that methods beyond visual observation — e.g., DNA-based metagenomic approaches — are needed to characterise airborne microbial communities.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > Pollutant > p. 33
Strength: 2/5
“For example, some marine organisms escape permanent damage by metabolising hazardous substances to harmless ones. Indeed many pollutants are ultimately biodegradable, that is, able to be broken down by natural processes into simpler compounds. Most pollutants, however, resist attack by water, air, sunlight, or living organisms because the synthetic compounds of which they are composed resemble nothing in nature. Te ways in which pollutants are changing the atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere are often difcult for researchers to determine. Environmental impact cannot always be predicted or explained. As a result, marine scientists vary widely in their opinion about what pollutants are doing to the atmosphere and ocean, and what to do about it.”
Why relevant

Explains that many pollutants interact with living organisms, and researchers study how organisms transform substances in different environmental compartments (air included).

How to extend

A student could reason that sequencing airborne microbial communities (aerial metagenomics) could reveal organisms involved in atmospheric pollutant processing.

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