You are a scientist, as well as a music enthusiast. Unfortunately, you have long suspected that your irresponsible roommate continuously uses your very expensive Bose headphones when you are in the lab, even though you have clearly indicated that your roommate should never use your Bose. Your roommate vigorously denies that he has been enjoying your Bose when you are at lab. To prove that your roommate is indeed using your expensive Bose, you hypothesize that if your roommate is borrowing your headphones, then your ear microbiome should transfer to your roommate’s ear. Therefore, you conduct a study in which you compare the microbiome on your roommates ear and your own ear. The study indicates that your ear microbiome and your roommate’s ear microbiome are nearly identical. You now believe that you have definitive proof that your roommate is using your Bose against your wishes. You go to Judge Judy and demand that your roommate must buy you a brand new set of Bose headphones. After deliberation, Judge Judy dismisses your case, and, regrettably, you do not get the new headphones.

(A) (1 points) Briefly, describe ONE fatal flaw in the logic of your microbiome experiment. (Do NOT discuss possible technical difficulties associated with the experiment. Only the first answer written will be considered).

B) (1 points) Briefly describe a modified microbiome-based experiment that might prove that your roommate has been borrowing your Bose.

(C) (1 points) Based on your experimental design described in Part B. Describe the result that you would need to obtain that indicates that your roommate has been enjoying the Bose when you are the lab.