Which of the following lists correctly identifies the three main techniques for identifying microbes?

• A. Staining, culturing, and environmental sampling
• B. Microscopy, immunological, and nutritional methods
• C. Physical, chemical, and ecological methods
• D. Morphological, biochemical, and genetic methods

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that identifying microbes involves analyzing their characteristics through various techniques that reveal their structure, function, and genetic makeup.
2. Step 2: Recognize that morphological methods focus on the shape, size, and physical features of microbes, often using microscopy and staining techniques.
3. Step 3: Biochemical methods involve testing the metabolic and chemical activities of microbes, such as enzyme production or nutrient utilization.
4. Step 4: Genetic methods analyze the DNA or RNA of microbes to identify species and relationships, using techniques like PCR and sequencing.
5. Step 5: Compare the given options and note that the correct list includes morphological, biochemical, and genetic methods because these three cover the main approaches to microbial identification comprehensively.