Question

Most mutations in the human genome are rare, likely resulting from:

a) the demographic history of humans

b) selection against deleterious mutations

c) a&b

d) none of the above

Please explain how you got your answer:)

Answer 1

Answer: C:

Because of separate demography there is reduction in mutation rates. This is due to the fact that mutations that are found in Africa have fewer incidences in Asia because of demographic changes. This may be due to climate, pollution, food habits which are separate for separate regions. If there would have been no demarcations these mutation would have been rather more frequent because of transfer of these mutations.

Mutations in the human genome are rare also due to selection against deleterious mutations by repair mechanisms. There are many repair mechanisms like nucleotide, base, photoreactions etc which repair these mutations