Final answer:
The correct multiple-choice answer is that specific SNPs have been linked to the development of diseases like cancer. SNPs are common genetic variations used in genome-wide association studies to uncover contributions to complex diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Select the Most Accurate Statement Regarding SNPs
The correct multiple-choice option regarding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is: a. Specific SNPs have been linked to the development of diseases such as cancer. SNPs represent variations in a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence that are present in a population at frequencies greater than 1 percent. These genetic differences are significant in the study of human health because they can affect susceptibility to disease and response to medication.
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) use SNPs to discover genetic variants that contribute to complex diseases. These studies compare the DNA of individuals with a disease to those without, focusing on identifying significant differences in SNPs between the groups. GWAS have been particularly effective in researching diseases influenced by multiple genes rather than single-gene disorders.
Options b, c, and d are incorrect because SNPs are not only found in germline cells, SNP stands for single nucleotide polymorphism (not protein), and there are several million SNPs identified in the human genome, far more than just 100.