Why Are Scientists Unable to Grow the Majority of Bacteria

question 1

Multiple Choice

Why are scientists unable to grow the majority of Bacteria and Archaea in pure culture in a laboratory setting?

• A)Most microorganisms reside in extreme environments that are toxic to human life, so samples cannot be collected for cultivation of the microbial inhabitants in the laboratory.
• B)Many species have metabolic requirements that are difficult to fulfill in the laboratory.
• C)DNA sequencing technology was not sufficiently advanced to give scientists the ability to identify prokaryotic species in nature, a requirement for growing microbes in the laboratory.
• D)Cells with unusual morphological characteristics cannot be grown in the laboratory.