Some bacteria may be able to respond to environmental stress by increasing the rate at which mutations occur during cell division. how might this be accomplished? might there be an evolutionary advantage of this ability? explain.

All the organisms has  developed some methods to respond towards the changing environment. Bacteria also develops some mechanism by which they are able to tolerate the external environment.

Some bacteria respond towards environment by increasing the rate of mutation. This mutation can be accomplished as it creates the formation of oncogenes in the bacteria. The cyclins and kinases of cell cycle gets mutated that leads to the uncontrolled growth of cell bacteria. This produces an evolutionary advantage to bacteria as it allows the bacteria to grow in the hostile environment. For example: the development of resistant strain of bacteria towards a specific drug.

clumped distribution, because you'de have all of the population gathered in a relatively small are.

it's the most common because it provides protection and a mate for reproduction

example: humans, seeweed, cattles, etc.