The mutation rate of a gene involved in glucose metabolism is five mutations per million copies of the gene per generation. Suppose there are two million individuals in a population of a species of snake, each with two copies of this gene (i.e., they are diploid). In this snake population, how many new mutations would we expect of this gene in each generation?
A) Fewer than 1
B) 5
C) 10
D) 20

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mutation rate is 5 mutations per million copies. With 2 million individuals, each having 2 copies, there are 4 million copies of the gene. Thus, the expected number of new mutations is (5 mutations/million copies) * 4 million copies = 20 mutations per generation.

The Mutation Rate of a Gene Involved in Glucose Metabolism