A researcher observes a unicellular organism reproducing asexually. The daughter cells are genetically identical except for a few minor variations. Which mechanism is MOST likely responsible for these variations?
Crossing over during mitosis
Independent assortment of chromosomes
Random mutations during DNA replication
Conjugation with another individual
Related Questions
Which of the following does NOT align with Mendel's laws of inheritance?
Blending inheritance is observed in the F1 generation.
Alleles for different traits segregate independently.
The law of segregation describes allele separation during gamete formation.
The phenotype of the F2 generation can be predicted using Punnett squares.
In a plant species that reproduces through apomixis, a mutation arises in a somatic cell that confers resistance to a fungal pathogen. What is the likelihood that this resistance trait will be passed on to the offspring?
Low, as somatic mutations are rarely heritable.
High, as apomixis bypasses meiosis and fertilization.
Dependent on whether the mutation is dominant or recessive.
Zero, as apomixis only involves the maternal gametophyte.
A certain species of rotifer reproduces exclusively through parthenogenesis. A diploid female with a rare recessive allele 'a' on one of her homologous chromosomes undergoes thelytoky. Assuming no mutations, what is the probability that her offspring will express the recessive phenotype?
0
0.25
0.5
1
Identify the INCORRECT statement regarding Mendel's experiments:
Recessive traits are always expressed in the F1 generation.
Traits are inherited as discrete units.
The F2 generation exhibits a 3:1 phenotypic ratio for a monohybrid cross.
Alleles segregate during gamete formation.
