Question

Which statement is scientifically based?
Mutations rarely occur.
All mutations are harmful.
Some mutations can be contagious, like infections.
Mutations are not passed from parent to offspring

Answer 1

None of the four statements is completely correct as written.

Clarifications that are scientifically accurate:
- Mutations occur at a low rate per base per cell division, but because organisms have large genomes and many cell divisions, new mutations are common overall.
- Not all mutations are harmful — many are neutral, some are harmful, and some are beneficial.
- Mutations themselves are not contagious like infections. (However, organisms or cells that carry mutations can be transmitted — e.g., a virus with a mutated genome can infect another host.)
- Mutations in germ cells (sperm or eggs) can be passed to offspring; somatic (non‑germline) mutations are generally not inherited.

If you want a single best short statement: “Whether a mutation is inherited depends on whether it occurs in germ cells; mutations can be neutral, harmful, or beneficial.”