True or False: Inbreeding has an effect on the rate of spontaneous mutation.

Inbreeding does indeed have an impact on the rate of spontaneous mutation, and thus the statement is true. Inbreeding refers to the breeding of individuals who are genetically closely related. This practice increases the likelihood of offspring inheriting the same alleles from both parents, which can amplify the expression of deleterious recessive traits.

When individuals are closely related, the genetic diversity within the population decreases, leading to a higher probability that mutations—particularly harmful mutations—will be homozygous. These homozygous mutations can have varied effects, including reduced fitness and increased susceptibility to certain diseases. Moreover, the accumulation of these mutations over generations can lead to inbreeding depression, which is a decline in biological fitness.

Understanding this concept is crucial as it highlights the importance of genetic diversity in populations. While some mutations occur spontaneously and are neutral or even beneficial, inbreeding is likely to increase the prevalence of harmful mutations, thus affecting the overall mutation rate experienced by a population. It is important to note that not all inbreeding leads to harmful mutations, but the correlation between inbreeding and the expression of deleterious traits is well documented in many species.