Which of the definitions below best defines a mutation?
a. a change in a cell's genetic material
b. the infectious agent that causes disease
c. a substance that increases in concentration with trophic level
d. the influence of human beings on nature

The correct answer is: A. A change in a cell's genetic material.

Mutations occur in DNA as a result of mistakes during the DNA replication (when repair mechanisms don’t fix it) or as the result of environmental factors (e.g. UV light). Mutations can have positive impact, by increasing the genetic variation or can have negative effect, causing the diseases or cancer.

hydroxyl -oh

alcohols, always polar, can form hydrogen bonds with h2o molecules

carboxyl -cooh  

cargoxylic acids, has acidic properties which is a source of hydrogen ions, found in cells in ionized for with a charge of oh-1

carbonyl > co

ketone if within skeleton, aldehyde if group is at the end of skeleton, k & a may be structural isomers, it determines 2 sugars (ketose & aldose)

amino -nh2

amines, acts as a base, it can pick up h+ ions from surrounding solution, ionized with charge of 1+

methyl ch2

addition to rna/dna affects and gene expression

phosphate -opo3 ²⁻

organic phosphates, contributes to negative charge to, molecule that it is a part of, and potential to react with h20

sulfhydryl -sh

thiols, cross-linking stabilize the protein, and it is structure

i think its y= -4x-14