Question

Mutations are characterized by all of the following criteria EXCEPT

A. forward vs. reverse.
B. somatic vs. germ line.
C. gene vs. chromosome.
D. intergenic vs. intragenic.
E. Actually, all of these are criteria used to characterize mutations.

Answer 1

All options A to D provided in the question are valid criteria used to characterize mutations. These include the distinction between forward versus reverse mutations, somatic versus germline mutations, gene versus chromosome mutations, and intergenic versus intragenic mutations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mutations are changes to an organism's DNA and are categorized using various criteria such as the type of genetic material altered, the location in the genome where the mutation occurs, and the specificity of the cells affected. Notable types of mutations include germline mutations, which occur in sex cells and can be transmitted to offspring, and somatic mutations, which are not inheritable as they occur in body cells other than gametes.

Additionally, mutations are characterized based on their scope, with chromosomal alterations affecting the structure or number of chromosomes, and point mutations changing only a single nucleotide. Meanwhile, the terms 'forward vs. reverse', and 'intergenic vs. intragenic' are not generally used as main criteria for characterizing mutations and therefore the correct answer to the question about criteria used to characterize mutations would be 'Actually, all of these are criteria used to characterize mutations,' which is option E.