In a comparison between asexually reproducing bacteria and sexually reproducing multicellular eukaryotes, uncorrected errors in replication are more likely to be transmitted to subsequent generations in bacteria than in multicellular eukaryotes. Which of the following provides the best evidence-based explanation for this difference?

• A. Unlike multicellular eukaryotes, bacteria lack DNA repair enzymes, so there are just more uncorrected errors at play.
• B. Although the genome for each is represented as pairs of homologous chromosomes, errors in bacteria affect both homologs, but only one is affected in eukaryotes.
• C. Only errors that lead to faster-growing strains are left uncorrected in bacteria, whereas all errors are detected and repaired in multicellular eukaryotes.
• D. The third and fourth listed responses can explain this phenomenon.
• E. Because they are asexual and single-celled, all uncorrected errors of replication in bacteria are transmitted to subsequent generations. Multicellular eukaryotes typically reproduce sexually, so uncorrected errors are transmitted only if they occur in germ cells that meiotically divide to produce gametes.

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference in reproduction: Bacteria reproduce asexually, meaning they replicate their entire genome and pass it on to the next generation without the genetic variation introduced by sexual reproduction.
2. Recognize the role of cell type in error transmission: In multicellular eukaryotes, only errors in germ cells (cells that give rise to gametes) can be passed to the next generation, whereas in bacteria, any error in the single cell is passed on because the entire organism is replicated.
3. Consider the presence of DNA repair mechanisms: While both bacteria and eukaryotes have DNA repair mechanisms, the efficiency and types of repair can differ, but this is not the primary reason for the difference in error transmission.
4. Acknowledge the impact of asexual reproduction: In asexual reproduction, like that of bacteria, any uncorrected error in the DNA is directly passed to the offspring because there is no mixing of genetic material as in sexual reproduction.
5. Conclude with the correct explanation: The key reason uncorrected errors are more likely to be transmitted in bacteria is due to their asexual reproduction and single-celled nature, meaning every replication error is inherited by the next generation, unlike in multicellular eukaryotes where only errors in germ cells are passed on.