Question

Choose the true statement(s) about mutations. To be marked correct, you'll need to select all true statements, as there may be more than one correct answer.
A. Mutations can provide an evolutionary benefit.
B. Mutation leads to genetic and phenotypic variation within a species.
C. In humans, somatic cell mutations are not passed to offspring.
D. Evolution rates are faster in bacteria than in humans because most mutations in human cells are silent.

Answer 1

Answer

All four options ( A,B,C,D ) are true about mutations.

Explanation:

A-  Mutation can provide an evolutionary benefits

As mutation helps in creating DNA  sequence ,new allele(variant of gene) for a specific gene , thus mutations is known to be the first step of evolution.

B- Mutation leads to genetic and phenotypic variation within the species.

In mutation, genetic  variation (difference between individual/population) takes place as new alleles are created ,random matings ,fertilization and during meiosis , recombination of homologous chromosomes. One of the type of mutation called gene mutation give rise to genetic variations.

Its an exceptional case of phenotypic variations ,as mostly there is no effect of mutation on phenotypic variation. Very few mutations lead to phenotype variation and in case mutation takes place in phenotype variation ,making the organism well suited to the environment, the a rapid change  in the characterstics of the individual species is seen.

C- In humans, the somatic cell mutation are not passed in offsprings.

Somatic cells are present in all over the body except in the cells that give rise to gametes( ie. egg and sperm cells) and produces offsprings . Thus somatic cells are absent in gametic cells ,therefore mutation cannot be passed to human's offsprings or children.

D- Evolution rates are faster in bacteria than in humans because most mutations in human cells are silent.  

Due to their fast  growth ,bacteria evolve quickly and share genes with each other and even between the species ,also the mutation that are helpful spread faster in bacteria.  

In humans, the silent mutation in human cells cause many genetic disorders like Laron dwarfism.  About 99.8% genes are silent mutation.