To determine if the scientist's claim about genetic variation during meiosis is correct, we must analyze the options provided with respect to meiosis and genetic variation.
Option a describes a deletion mutation and claims that it maintains genetic information. This is incorrect, as deletion mutations generally result in the loss of genetic information, which could lead to variations but not necessarily beneficiary ones.
Option b discusses nondisjunction but incorrectly claims it preserves genetic information. Nondisjunction leads to an abnormal number of chromosomes in the gametes, which does lead to variation, but it's often associated with genetic disorders rather than maintaining the amount of information.
Option c correctly identifies nondisjunction as a process that can lead to genetic variation due to unequal chromosome separation, causing gametes to have different amounts of genetic material. This can result in offspring with varied genetic compositions.
Option d mentions a deletion mutation, which omits a segment of information, leading to genetic variation. However, it incorrectly states that this is how genetic information is preserved, which is misleading. Deletions can create variation but at the potential cost of important genetic information.
Given this analysis, the most accurate statement is:
c: The scientist is correct. The process shown in the diagram is nondisjunction, in which chromosomes fail to separate normally, causing an incorrect amount of genetic information to be inherited.
This option accurately connects nondisjunction with genetic variation, as it can lead to offspring with different chromosomal arrangements.
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