Question

Which of the following would most likely cause a harmful genetic mutation?
Answer
1.Chromosomal mutation in germ-line cells are inherited
2.Exposure to other mutated organisms or cells
3.Insertion of three base pairs into the genetic sequence
4.Polyploidy mutations, or inheriting an extra set of chromosomes

Answer 1

now, please. what are you suggesting and why?

Answer 2

i think 1 because that seems pretty harmful to inherit a germ-line cell

Answer 3

i know...i make no sense...

Answer 4

no, no, your thinking is right. the answers you have to choose from are kinda stupid ^^

well, it can't be 2, right? being exposed to mutated organisms does absolutely zero to you (there are some kinds of infectious cancers, pretty scary, but I don't think your teacher knows about those :P )

now, if you go by the word, there is only one actual cause of mutations. and this would be 3. but the chances for an additional codon to actually matter are about one in 10,000 or so. that's not very much of a chance :-)

now, answer 4 is not the cause of a mutation, it describes a mutation. polyploidy, like in trisomy 21, is a genetic defect, but it doesn't cause further mutations.

same goes for 1. it describes that you inherit a chromosome mutation through germ-line cells. but I don't think this is the cause of more mutations, to be honest. so I would guess that answer 3 is right. but this could be german hair-splitting :-)

long story short: I like that you were thinking about the question. it is hard to answer