Which of the following statements accurately describes the use of selective and differential media in microbiology?
a) Selective media encourage the growth of specific microorganisms by providing essential nutrients.
b) Differential media allow for the differentiation of microorganisms based on their metabolic characteristics.
c) Both selective and differential media are commonly used to isolate and identify bacterial species in complex samples.
d) Selective and differential media serve similar functions and are interchangeable in laboratory settings.