Question

question 5 of 10
which of the following describes how damaged dna can lead to a mutation?
a. the nucleotide sequence of the damaged dna is restored perfectly.
b. the segment of dna that is damaged is transcribed into rna.
c. an error occurs when the damaged dna is repaired.
d. the damaged dna stops all protein synthesis by the cell.

Explanation:

Mutations occur when there is an error in the repair of damaged DNA. If DNA is damaged and not repaired correctly (an error in the repair process), it can lead to a change in the DNA sequence, which is a mutation. Option A is incorrect as if the sequence is restored perfectly, there is no mutation. Option B just mentions transcription into RNA (which is part of normal gene expression, not directly how damage leads to mutation). Option D is wrong as damaged DNA doesn't stop all protein synthesis (cells have mechanisms to deal with damaged DNA, and even with some damage, protein synthesis can occur to some extent; also, it's not the way damage leads to mutation).

Answer:

C. An error occurs when the damaged DNA is repaired.