Question

Choose the incorrect statement with respect to mutations.

• A. Mutations may be beneficial, harmful or neutral
• B. Many mutations are lost because they reduce the fitness of the carriers
• C. Mutation rate of zero is highly desirable
• D. In nature, mutations rate is adjusted to provide enough genetic variability

Answer 1

The correct option is C Mutation rate of zero is highly desirable

Mutation changes one form of gene into another. Over time, however, a considerable amount of mutational variations may occur.
According to population genetics, mutation may be neutral, beneficial or harmful, depending upon whether they increase, decrease or do not change viability of carriers.
The term 'fitness' here is used to describe the overall ability of an organism to survive and reproduce. Many mutations are lost because they reduce the fitness of their carriers.

The mutation rate cannot be too high, for it is, the frequency of harmful mutations will be too great for population to survive. A mutation rate of zero is also not desirable as it is the only source of genetic variation. In nature, the mutation rate is probably adjusted so that it provides enough but not too much genetic variability.