Final answer:
Mutagenesis is a process that changes the genetic information in an organism. It can occur spontaneously or due to external factors known as mutagens.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mutagenesis is a process that changes the genetic information in an organism. It can occur spontaneously or as a result of external factors known as mutagens. Mutagens can include chemicals, radiation, or certain viruses. Mutations caused by mutagenesis can have various effects on an organism, ranging from harmful to beneficial.
Mutagenesis is the correct term that changes the genetic information in an organism, leading to mutations that can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral. Unlike mutagenesis, mitosis is a cell division process that does not change the organism's genetic information but helps in growth and repair.
The term that correctly completes the sentence is Mutagenesis. Mutagenesis is a process that changes the genetic information in an organism, potentially resulting in a mutation. Such changes can occur spontaneously, without any apparent cause, or can be induced by external factors. Mutations, whether spontaneous or induced, can lead to various outcomes; they can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral in terms of their effect on the organism. This is clearly different from mitosis, which is a cell division process responsible for growth and maintenance, not changing genetic information.
The discovery and research on mutations, including the work by Hermann Muller, indicate that mutagenesis can have profound implications. Harmful mutations may lead to conditions like cancer or heritable diseases, whereas beneficial mutations contribute to the process of evolution. On the other hand, mitosis is a critical process for the transmission of heritable information but without altering that information during the process.