AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -However, while many mutations are indeed deleterious, others are “silent"; that is, they have no discernible effect on the phenotype of an individual and remain undetected unless a molecular biologist takes a DNA sample for sequence analysis. In addition, some mutations are actually beneficial.

Detailed explanation-2: -Most mutations have no effect on the phenotype. Some influence phenotype to some extent. Very few create a new phenotype. Mutations can be inherited and therefore passed on from one individual to another.

Detailed explanation-3: -Mutations can affect an organism by changing its physical characteristics (or phenotype) or it can impact the way DNA codes the genetic information (genotype). When mutations occur they can cause termination (death) of an organism or they can be partially lethal.

Detailed explanation-4: -B. Silent mutations are a result of the redundancy (degeneracy) of the genetic code: This is false, as silent mutations are the result of a base substitution that has no discernible effect on the amino acid sequence of a protein.

Detailed explanation-5: -They always cause a change to an organism’s genotype. Regardless of the cause of the change, a DNA sequence is always altered when it mutates.