Which of these would,if it (they)had acted upon a gene,prevent this gene from acting as a reliable molecular clock?
A)neutral mutations
B)genetic drift
C)mutations within introns
D)natural selection
E)most substitution mutations involving a codon's third position (of exons)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Natural selection can prevent a gene from acting as a reliable molecular clock because it can accelerate or decelerate the rate of mutations in a gene based on environmental pressures and the fitness benefits or detriments of those mutations, thus disrupting the steady, predictable rate of mutation necessary for a molecular clock.

Which of These Would,if It (They)had Acted Upon a Gene,prevent