The diploid character of eukaryotic cells may mask the appearance of a mutation since
A) the matching chromosome may carry the correct version of the gene.
B) the matching chromosome may repair the mutated gene.
C) the mutation is usually reversible.
D) the mutation may create inverted repeats.
E) All answer choices are correct.

Question

The diploid character of eukaryotic cells may mask the appearance of a mutation since
A) the matching chromosome may carry the correct version of the gene.
B) the matching chromosome may repair the mutated gene.
C) the mutation is usually reversible.
D) the mutation may create inverted repeats.
E) All answer choices are correct.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In diploid eukaryotic cells, there are two copies of each chromosome, and therefore two copies of each gene. If one copy of the gene is mutated, the other copy may still have the correct version of the gene, which prevents the appearance of the mutation. Thus, the presence of a second, non-mutated copy of the gene can mask the appearance of a mutation.

The Diploid Character of Eukaryotic Cells May Mask the Appearance