Which of the following mechanisms can form entirely new alleles?

• A. Natural selection
• B. Genetic drift
• C. Sexual recombination
• D. The environment
• E. Mutation

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of an allele: An allele is a variant form of a gene. Different alleles can result in different traits or characteristics in an organism.
2. Identify the mechanisms listed: Natural selection, genetic drift, sexual recombination, the environment, and mutation.
3. Define mutation: A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism's genome. Mutations can occur due to errors during DNA replication or as a result of environmental factors.
4. Recognize that mutations are the only mechanism that can create entirely new alleles: While natural selection, genetic drift, and sexual recombination can change the frequency of existing alleles in a population, they do not create new alleles. The environment can influence which alleles are advantageous but does not create new alleles.
5. Conclude that mutation is the mechanism responsible for forming entirely new alleles, as it introduces new genetic variations into a population's gene pool.