Final answer:
A mistake made by the RNA polymerase cannot cause a mutation; mutations are permanent changes in the DNA sequence caused by factors such as mistakes during DNA replication, environmental mutagens, and viruses, but not by errors in RNA transcription.
Step-by-step explanation:
Which of these cannot cause a mutation? The one that cannot cause a mutation from the options provided is c. A mistake made by the RNA polymerase. Mutations are changes in the nucleotide sequence of DNA, which can occur spontaneously or be induced by various factors. Here is a detailed explanation:
- Spontaneous mutations can occur through errors made by DNA polymerase during DNA replication or natural cellular processes, such as tautomerism, depurination, and deamination.
- Induced mutations are caused by environmental factors or mutagens, such as chemicals or radiation. These include exposure to intercalating agents and UV or gamma radiation, which can lead to DNA damage.
- Viruses, particularly RNA viruses, can also cause mutations as they tend to make more copying errors compared to DNA polymerases in the host cells they infect.
However, mistakes made by RNA polymerase during transcription do not result in permanent changes to the DNA sequence, hence they do not cause mutations in the same sense as the errors made during DNA replication or the impact of mutagens.