A disaster such as a meltdown in a nuclear power plant requires close examination of potential impacts on organisms. Which of the following would be useful to biologists in such a situation?
A)Use a molecular clock to compare of genes of a species that lives near the nuclear plant with those of the same species thousands of miles away.
B)Measure continental drift to determine if the disaster had accelerated movement of continents.
C)Use radiometric dating to determine if new species are forming.
D)Examine the mutation rate of species in the area.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Examining the mutation rate of species in the area would provide useful information for biologists studying the impact of a nuclear disaster. Mutations can be caused by exposure to radiation, and monitoring changes in mutation rates can help biologists understand the impacts of the disaster on the local ecosystem. Option A, using a molecular clock, would not provide direct information on the impacts of the disaster. Option B, measuring continental drift, is unrelated to the impacts of a nuclear disaster. Option C, using radiometric dating to determine if new species are forming, is also unrelated to the impacts of a nuclear disaster.

A Disaster Such as a Meltdown in a Nuclear Power