Answer:
D. a mutation causing uncontrolled cell division
Explanation:
Mutations can be beneficial, neutral or harmful and therefore are not targeted, occurring at random. This means that a change in DNA can provide an improvement in the body, cause no advantage or harm or even trigger problems, as in the case of genetic diseases. Thus, a mutation does not arise to guarantee the evolution of an organism, but is completely random.
Beneficial mutations are those that bring benefits to the body by helping it survive, or by helping with a particular task. We can cite as beneficial mutations:
- a mutation allowing moths to camouflage better on blackened tree bark
- a mutation making Staphylococcus aureus resistant to the antibiotic methicillin
- a mutation inhibiting human immunodeficiency virus from attaching to and entering the cell
- a mutation giving plant leaves a bitter taste to discourage herbivores from eating them
On the other hand, an evil mutation is one that causes damage to the body, such as a mutation that causes uncontrolled cell division.
