The geneticist's research pointed to one likely cause of the disease ______ a single mutation in a gene responsible for cell division.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- Acheck_circle
:
- B
;
- C
, that
- D
, being
Explanation
A colon introduces a noun-phrase elaboration of "one likely cause." A semicolon requires an independent clause; ", being" is awkward; ", that" creates a fragment.