Spontaneous Mutation Rates are Greatly Reduced By

Question

Spontaneous mutation rates are greatly reduced by
A)exposure to ionizing radiation.
B)reverse mutations.
C)base-modifying agents.
D)DNA repair mechanisms.
E)performing the Ames test.

Accepted Answer

DNA repair mechanisms are responsible for detecting and repairing errors during DNA replication, thus reducing the rate of spontaneous mutations. Exposure to ionizing radiation, base-modifying agents, and performing the Ames test can all increase mutation rates, while reverse mutations refer to the correction of a previously mutated gene, rather than prevention of new mutations.