(Solved): The thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus (T. aquaticus), originally isolated from hot springs i ...

The thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus (T. aquaticus), originally isolated from hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, has a DNA polymerase (Taq polymerase) that lacks the $3^{?}$ to-5' proofreading function found in most DNA polymerases. T. aquaticus has a chromosome that is approximately $2\mathrm{Mb}$ in size. Assuming that the error rate of nucleotide misincorporation of Taq polymerase is similar to other bacterial DNA polymerases, and the mismatch repair rate is also comparable to other bacteria as shown in the table above, which of the following statements most accurately describes DNA replication in T. aquaticus? Choose one: A. On average, there will be a point mutation introduced to the T. aquaticuschromosome approximately once every 5 replication cycles. B. On average, there will bea point mutation introduced to the $T$, aquaticus chromosome approximately once every 500 replication cycles. C. On average, there will be 1 point mutation introduced to the $T$. aquaticus chromosome every $10^7$ replication cycles. D. On average, there will be approximately 20 point mutations introduced to the T, aquaticus chromosome cach replication cycle.