After a strain of bacterial cells is exposed to a chemical mutagen, only 30% of the cells produce new colonies that continue to grow. Which of the following can be concluded?
A. Some cells underwent advantageous mutations.
B. Some cells underwent neutral mutations.
C. Some cells underwent lethal mutations. ****
D. Some cells underwent deleterious mutations.
My choice is C..?
Yes you are correct!!
To determine the correct conclusion from the given information, we need to analyze the different types of mutations and their effects on the bacterial cells.
A. "Some cells underwent advantageous mutations": This option suggests that the mutations in the cells resulted in an advantage, which led to the cells' ability to produce new colonies and continue to grow. However, the information given does not specify if the 30% of cells that produced new colonies are actually advantageous mutations. Therefore, we cannot conclude this option based on the given information.
B. "Some cells underwent neutral mutations": This option implies that the mutations in the cells had no effect on the cells' ability to produce new colonies and continue to grow. However, given that only 30% of the cells produce new colonies, it suggests that the majority of the cells did not have neutral mutations. Therefore, we cannot conclude this option based on the given information.
C. "Some cells underwent lethal mutations": This option suggests that the mutations in the cells resulted in lethal effects, causing the majority of the cells to be unable to produce new colonies and continue to grow. Given that only 30% of the cells produce new colonies, it supports the idea that some cells underwent lethal mutations, as the majority did not survive. Therefore, this is a reasonable conclusion based on the given information.
D. "Some cells underwent deleterious mutations": This option assumes that the mutations in the cells had negative effects, causing a decrease in the cells' ability to produce new colonies and continue to grow. While it is possible that the mutations could be deleterious, the given information does not provide enough evidence to conclude this option.
Based on the reasoning above, the correct conclusion that can be drawn from the given information is:
C. Some cells underwent lethal mutations.