The mutation rate of a gene involved in lactose metabolism is two mutations per million copies of the gene per generation. Suppose there are 15 million individuals in a population of a yeast, each with two copies of this gene (i.e., they are diploid). In this yeast population, how many new mutations would we expect at this gene each generation?
A) Fewer than 1
B) 15
C) 30
D) 60

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Each individual has two copies of the gene, so there are 30 million copies in the population. With a mutation rate of two mutations per million copies, we expect 60 mutations per generation (30 million copies * 2 mutations/million copies).

The Mutation Rate of a Gene Involved in Lactose Metabolism