Question

Which of the following statements is false?

1) Mutation rate varies among species
2) Mutation rate can vary with environmental conditions
3) Mutation rate differs between different regions of the genome
4) Mutation rate increases in response to the need for adaptation

Answer 1

The false statement is that mutation rate increases in response to the need for adaptation since mutations occur randomly, not due to an organism's 'need' for adaptation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that is false is: 'Mutation rate increases in response to the need for adaptation.'

This statement is false because the process of mutation is random, and not directed or increased due to an organism's 'need' for adaptation. Mutations occur without regard to the utility of the mutation for the organism's survival. While it is true that the mutation rate can vary among species, with different environmental conditions, and between different regions of the genome, it is not increased intentionally in response to adaptation needs. Mutations that are already present in a population can be advantageous and become more common through the process of natural selection, but the mutation itself does not occur because there is a need for it.