Essentials of Genetics 9th Edition by Michael Palladino William Klug, Michael Cummings, Charlotte Spencer

Exercise 1

In this chapter, we focused on how gene mutations arise and how cells repair DNA damage. In particular, we discussed spontaneous and induced mutations, DNA repair methods, and transposable elements. Based on your knowledge of these topics, answer several fundamental questions:
(a) How do we know that mutations occur spontaneously?
(b) How do we know that certain chemicals and wavelengths of radiation induce mutations in DNA?
(c) How do we know that DNA repair mechanisms detect and correct the majority of spontaneous and induced mutations?