What describes shotgun sequencing?

Shotgun sequencing is a method used to sequence DNA by breaking it into numerous small, random fragments and then determining the sequence of bases in each of those fragments. This approach allows for the simultaneous sequencing of many pieces of DNA, which can then be assembled into a complete sequence using overlapping regions found within the fragments. This is particularly useful for large genomes, as it enables researchers to efficiently and rapidly gather sequence data without requiring a linear or contiguous approach.

The other options describe different processes in molecular biology: cloning DNA involves creating copies of a specific DNA segment; DNA replication is the process of duplicating an entire DNA molecule; and generating hybrid DNA refers to combining sequences from different sources. These processes are distinct from the random fragmentation and sequencing characteristic of shotgun sequencing.