DNA replication occurs rapidly. For example, approximately 50 nitrogenous bases are added to a DNA strand each second in humans. In bacteria, this occurs even faster with 1000 bases being added each second.
At such speeds, errors can occur, and some bases are copied incorrectly. Even so, a human cell is able to replicate its DNA with only one mutation for every 50 million bases copied. Bacteria experience mutations much more frequently because the speed of their DNA replication is 20 times faster than that of a human.
To reproduce, bacteria clone themselves through an asexual process called binary fission. Why, then, are bacterial colonies still able to adapt to new environments?
A.
New genetic combinations resulting from mitosis allow offspring to be genetically different from their parents.
B.
Sexual reproduction always results in offspring that are genetically different from their parents.
C.
Viable errors during DNA replication allow offspring to be genetically different from their parents.
D.
Asexual reproduction allows offspring to adapt without being genetically different from their parents.