The DNA polymerase can incorporate the wrong nucleotide occasionally.What is the probability that the wrong nucleotide is incorporated into the growing polynucleotide chain during replication?
A)fewer than 1 in 1 billion nucleotides
B)about 1 in 1000 nucleotides
C)fewer than 1 in about 4 million nucleotides
D)about 1 in 100,000 to 1,000,000 nucleotides
E)about 1 in 10,000 nucleotides

Question

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Studies have shown that the error rate for DNA polymerase is about 1 in 100,000 to 1,000,000 nucleotides. This means that for every 100,000 to 1,000,000 nucleotides that are correctly incorporated, one incorrect nucleotide may be incorporated. Choice A is incorrect because the probability of an error is higher than 1 in 1 billion nucleotides. Choice B is incorrect because the error rate is much lower than 1 in 1000 nucleotides. Choice C is incorrect because the error rate is lower than 1 in 4 million nucleotides. Choice E is incorrect because the error rate is higher than 1 in 10,000 nucleotides.

The DNA Polymerase Can Incorporate the Wrong Nucleotide Occasionally