Which of the following statements about mutations is false?

Options

A. Mutations are the source of new alleles for genes.
B. Organisms are able to create mutations to meet their specific needs.
C. Mutations are random events and can happen in any cell at any time.
D. Most mutations tend to be harmful or have no effect on organisms.

Answer

To determine which statement about mutations is false, we can analyze the provided statements one by one:

1. **Mutations are the source of new alleles for genes.**
- This statement is true. Mutations introduce changes in the DNA sequence, which can lead to the creation of new alleles.

2. **Organisms are able to create mutations to mate with their specific mate.**
- This statement is false. Mutations occur randomly and are not directed by the organism to meet specific mating needs. Organisms do not have the ability to create mutations at will.

3. **Mutations can be physical, chemical, or biological.**
- This statement is true. Mutations can arise from various sources, including physical agents (like radiation), chemical agents (like certain chemicals), and biological agents (like viruses).

4. **Most mutations tend to be harmful or have no effect on the organism.**
- This statement is also true. While some mutations can be beneficial, the majority are either harmful or neutral with respect to the organism's fitness.

Based on the analysis, the false statement is the second one: "Organisms are able to create mutations to mate with their specific mate."

### Step-by-Step Solution:
1. **Identify the statements about mutations.**
- List all the statements provided in the question.

2. **Evaluate each statement for its truthfulness.**
- Analyze each statement to determine if it is true or false based on biological principles.

3. **Identify the false statement.**
- After evaluating, identify which statement does not align with the established understanding of mutations.

4. **Conclude with the answer.**
- State the false statement clearly as the answer to the question.