Question

Mutation theory is able to provide an explanation for the

• A. appearance of short legged Ancon sheep
• B. hornless cattle developed from the horned cattle
• C. production of the seedless oranges
• D. All of these

Answer 1

The correct option is D All of these

Hugo de Vries, based on his work on Oenothera lamarckiana or evening primrose, proposed the mutation theory. According to this theory, single step large mutations (saltations) are responsible for the appearance of new variants that form entirely new species in a single generation.

These mutations can occur at any time hence are random and can be useful, harmful or have no effects at all on the organisms hence are directionless.

Mutation theory is able to provide an explanation for the sudden appearance of short legged Ancon sheep to normal legged parents, hornless cattle developed from the horned cattle and production of seedless oranges.

This was due to random mutations that might have occurred in the germ cells (cells that divide meiotically to form gametes) of the parents and passed onto the offspring.