Consider the following statements: Mutations can result from DNA c...
A mutation is a change in a DNA sequence. Mutations can result from DNA copying mistakes made during cell division, exposure to ionizing radiation, exposure to chemicals cailed mutagens, or infection by viruses. Germline mutations occur in the eggs and sperm and can be passed on to offspring, while somatic mutations occur in body cells and are not passed on. So, statement (1) is correct while statements (2) and (3) are not correct.
In other words, mutations may arise from faulty deletions, insertions, or exchanges of nucleotides in the genetic material. These, in turn, may be caused by exposure to mutagens, such as ultraviolet or ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and viruses. When a point mutation occurs in the DNA sequence, for instance, the error is corrected or repaired by direct reversal or by the replacement of damaged nitrogenous bases. When these mechanisms fail to restore the integrity of the sequence, the result is a permanent and heritable mutation. The error is propagated by DNA replication, i.e., a biological process of copying a strand of DNA.
Therefore, the correct answer is (b).