Mutation - Biology
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What distinguishes mutations from evolution?
What distinguishes mutations from evolution?
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Mutations and evolution must be distinctly defined. Mutations happen to individuals. To acquire a mutation, a single event will cause the DNA of a single individual to become altered. If the result is a positive mutation, meaning the change helps increase the fitness of the individual (ability to reproduce), then it will get passed on to the next generation.
Evolution affects a population when mutations change the genetic variety of individuals. As a mutation spreads through the population by reproduction and inheritance it changes the genome of the species. As more and more mutations are acquired in the population, speciation can eventually occur.
Mutations and evolution must be distinctly defined. Mutations happen to individuals. To acquire a mutation, a single event will cause the DNA of a single individual to become altered. If the result is a positive mutation, meaning the change helps increase the fitness of the individual (ability to reproduce), then it will get passed on to the next generation.
Evolution affects a population when mutations change the genetic variety of individuals. As a mutation spreads through the population by reproduction and inheritance it changes the genome of the species. As more and more mutations are acquired in the population, speciation can eventually occur.
Which of the following statements is incorrect?
Which of the following statements is incorrect?
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Mutations are not goal-directed. A mutation simply happens, and does not arise as a result of environmental necessities.
Alleles are different nucleotide sequences at a given gene's location. Different alleles generate different forms of the same protein product. Repair flaws caused by radiation and chemical damage change the nucleotide sequence, causing mutations. Mutations alter the gene pool, and are therefore the source of new alleles. These mutations are the foundation of evolutionary change and diversity among life-forms.
Mutations are not goal-directed. A mutation simply happens, and does not arise as a result of environmental necessities.
Alleles are different nucleotide sequences at a given gene's location. Different alleles generate different forms of the same protein product. Repair flaws caused by radiation and chemical damage change the nucleotide sequence, causing mutations. Mutations alter the gene pool, and are therefore the source of new alleles. These mutations are the foundation of evolutionary change and diversity among life-forms.
Which of the following is most likely to drive evolution?
Which of the following is most likely to drive evolution?
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Evolution relies on genetic diversity. One source of genetic diversity is spontaneous mutation. One spontaneous mutation may be beneficial to an organism's fitness, increasing the chance of that mutation being passed to the next generation.
Evolution relies on genetic diversity. One source of genetic diversity is spontaneous mutation. One spontaneous mutation may be beneficial to an organism's fitness, increasing the chance of that mutation being passed to the next generation.
Sickle cell anemia is a blood disorder in which the red blood cells are not shaped correctly and cannot carry oxygen as well as regular blood cells.
Sickle cell anemia is known to be caused by a single base mutation. What type of mutation is sickle cell anemia most probably caused by?
Sickle cell anemia is a blood disorder in which the red blood cells are not shaped correctly and cannot carry oxygen as well as regular blood cells.
Sickle cell anemia is known to be caused by a single base mutation. What type of mutation is sickle cell anemia most probably caused by?
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The red blood cells are still made, but their shape is different. This can be caused by a missense mutation, the replacement of one amino acid by another. A nonsense mutation would produce a truncated protein, which most likely would not be functional at all. An insertion or deletion could cause a frameshift mutation which could produce a completely different protein. Nondisjunction refers to meiosis, not DNA replication.
The red blood cells are still made, but their shape is different. This can be caused by a missense mutation, the replacement of one amino acid by another. A nonsense mutation would produce a truncated protein, which most likely would not be functional at all. An insertion or deletion could cause a frameshift mutation which could produce a completely different protein. Nondisjunction refers to meiosis, not DNA replication.
Which of the following mutations would be least detrimental to the function of a protein?
Which of the following mutations would be least detrimental to the function of a protein?
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Silent mutations change the nucleotide sequence of the DNA, yet the protein sequence is unchanged. This is due to the redundancy of the genetic code. Missense mutations involve substitution of one amino acid instead of another, which could change the folding pattern of the polypeptide. Nonsense mutations involve substitution of a nucleotide that results in a stop codon rather than the appropriate amino acid. This results in a truncated protein, which is nonfunctional. Frameshift mutations involve insertions, deletions and/or duplications of nucleotides. This shifts the reading frame on the mRNA, resulting in a nonfunctional protein. Note that frameshift mutations in which multiples of three nucleotides are inserted, deleted and/or duplicated are do not change the reading frame, and may still yield a functional protein. However, for example, a deletion of two nucleotides does change the reading frame and would lead to a nonfunctional protein.
Silent mutations change the nucleotide sequence of the DNA, yet the protein sequence is unchanged. This is due to the redundancy of the genetic code. Missense mutations involve substitution of one amino acid instead of another, which could change the folding pattern of the polypeptide. Nonsense mutations involve substitution of a nucleotide that results in a stop codon rather than the appropriate amino acid. This results in a truncated protein, which is nonfunctional. Frameshift mutations involve insertions, deletions and/or duplications of nucleotides. This shifts the reading frame on the mRNA, resulting in a nonfunctional protein. Note that frameshift mutations in which multiples of three nucleotides are inserted, deleted and/or duplicated are do not change the reading frame, and may still yield a functional protein. However, for example, a deletion of two nucleotides does change the reading frame and would lead to a nonfunctional protein.
Which is incorrect regarding mutations?
Which is incorrect regarding mutations?
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Mutations are not always harmful as they can also be beneficial. Keep in mind mutations are also not always beneficial. Mutation simply is a process that produces new alleles in genes due to mistakes made during recombination, DNA replication or repair.
Mutations are not always harmful as they can also be beneficial. Keep in mind mutations are also not always beneficial. Mutation simply is a process that produces new alleles in genes due to mistakes made during recombination, DNA replication or repair.
Which of the following describes a frameshift mutation?
Which of the following describes a frameshift mutation?
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A frameshift mutation indicates that the reading frame of the sequence in altered, resulting in production of different codons downstream of the mutation. Because codons are encoded by groups of three nucleotides, a frameshift mutation results from the insertion or deletion of a number of nucleotides that is not a multiple of three.
For example:
ATG-CGT
Add one nucleotide: ATT-GCG-T
Add two nucleotides: ATT-CGC-GT
Add three nucleotides: ATT-CAG-CGT
In the first two additions, there are unpaired nucleotides that will shift the reading frame. In the final addition (three nucleotides), the final group is complete; thus, any codons after the mutation (downstream) will not be affected.
A nonsense involves the addition of a premature stop codon. A missense mutation results in a different codon, and changes the primary structure of the protein. A silent mutation alters the DNA sequence without altering the amino acid result.
A frameshift mutation indicates that the reading frame of the sequence in altered, resulting in production of different codons downstream of the mutation. Because codons are encoded by groups of three nucleotides, a frameshift mutation results from the insertion or deletion of a number of nucleotides that is not a multiple of three.
For example:
ATG-CGT
Add one nucleotide: ATT-GCG-T
Add two nucleotides: ATT-CGC-GT
Add three nucleotides: ATT-CAG-CGT
In the first two additions, there are unpaired nucleotides that will shift the reading frame. In the final addition (three nucleotides), the final group is complete; thus, any codons after the mutation (downstream) will not be affected.
A nonsense involves the addition of a premature stop codon. A missense mutation results in a different codon, and changes the primary structure of the protein. A silent mutation alters the DNA sequence without altering the amino acid result.
Which of the following mutations will not result in a change to the amino acid sequence of a protein?
Which of the following mutations will not result in a change to the amino acid sequence of a protein?
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If a mutation does not alter the amino acid sequence of a protein, it is considered a silent mutation. A neutral mutation changes the amino acid, but not the function of the protein. Both frameshift and nonsense mutations can severely affect the function and structure of a protein.
If a mutation does not alter the amino acid sequence of a protein, it is considered a silent mutation. A neutral mutation changes the amino acid, but not the function of the protein. Both frameshift and nonsense mutations can severely affect the function and structure of a protein.
Which class of DNA mutation results in the substitution of one amino acid for another in the protein product?
Which class of DNA mutation results in the substitution of one amino acid for another in the protein product?
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A missense mutation results in the presence of a different amino acid than was encoded by the parental sequence. This type of mutation can have a drastic effect or no effect at all depending on the importance of the amino acid and the type of amino acid that replaces it. Some amino acids are structurally similar and may be able to act as viable substitutes for each other. For example, changing one acidic amino acid to another may ot affect the final protein, but changing a polar amino acid to a nonpolar amino acid will likely disrupt the structure.
A nonsense mutation results in the addition of a premature stop codon, creating a truncated protein product. A silent mutation is a mutation that occurs within the DNA sequence, but does not alter the amino acid sequence. Silent mutations can occur in introns, which are spliced out before translation. Finally, a frameshift mutation is an insertion or deletion of a nucleotide sequence that alters the reading frame of the gene.
A missense mutation results in the presence of a different amino acid than was encoded by the parental sequence. This type of mutation can have a drastic effect or no effect at all depending on the importance of the amino acid and the type of amino acid that replaces it. Some amino acids are structurally similar and may be able to act as viable substitutes for each other. For example, changing one acidic amino acid to another may ot affect the final protein, but changing a polar amino acid to a nonpolar amino acid will likely disrupt the structure.
A nonsense mutation results in the addition of a premature stop codon, creating a truncated protein product. A silent mutation is a mutation that occurs within the DNA sequence, but does not alter the amino acid sequence. Silent mutations can occur in introns, which are spliced out before translation. Finally, a frameshift mutation is an insertion or deletion of a nucleotide sequence that alters the reading frame of the gene.
Which of the following is NOT a potential result from a point mutation that substitutes a single nucleotide in a gene?
Which of the following is NOT a potential result from a point mutation that substitutes a single nucleotide in a gene?
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A point mutation that substitutes a single nucleotide within a gene alters the three nucleotides that make up an individual codon. There are four possible nucleotides and sixty-four possible codons, formed by 3-nucleotide sequences. Codons code for translation to one of the twenty amino acids. Changing a single nucleotide in the codon can have one of three effects.
First, it can result in a silent mutation. This is a result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, in which multiple codons can code for the same amino acid. Even though the sequence is different, the same amino acid is added. For example, if the sequence is initially CCT it will code for proline. If a mutation changes it to CCC it will still code for proline.
The second option is a missense mutation. In this case, the change in DNA sequence results in a codon for a different amino acid. For example, a mutation from TTT to TCT will change the amino acid from phenylalanine to serine.
Finally, the mutation could change a codon to a stop codon, causing early termination of translation. This is a nonsense mutation. For example, changing the TAT codon for tyrosine to TAA will result in an mRNA stop codon.
No matter how the point mutation affects the final protein product and codon sequence, it will still be transcribed into mRNA.
A point mutation that substitutes a single nucleotide within a gene alters the three nucleotides that make up an individual codon. There are four possible nucleotides and sixty-four possible codons, formed by 3-nucleotide sequences. Codons code for translation to one of the twenty amino acids. Changing a single nucleotide in the codon can have one of three effects.
First, it can result in a silent mutation. This is a result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, in which multiple codons can code for the same amino acid. Even though the sequence is different, the same amino acid is added. For example, if the sequence is initially CCT it will code for proline. If a mutation changes it to CCC it will still code for proline.
The second option is a missense mutation. In this case, the change in DNA sequence results in a codon for a different amino acid. For example, a mutation from TTT to TCT will change the amino acid from phenylalanine to serine.
Finally, the mutation could change a codon to a stop codon, causing early termination of translation. This is a nonsense mutation. For example, changing the TAT codon for tyrosine to TAA will result in an mRNA stop codon.
No matter how the point mutation affects the final protein product and codon sequence, it will still be transcribed into mRNA.
Which of the following types of mutation refers to the presence of a premature stop codon?
Which of the following types of mutation refers to the presence of a premature stop codon?
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A nonsense mutation results in a stop codon. This can be the result of an insertion or a deletion, causing a change in the DNA sequence from a normal amino acid codon to one of the three possible stop codon sequences.
A missense mutation changes the identity of a codon from one amino acid to another, resulting in a change to the protein primary structure. A silent mutation occurs when a mutation does not change the amino acid coded for by that codon. A frameshift mutation is an insertion or deletion that changes the reading frame of the entire protein and can have severe detrimental effects. A radioactive mutation is not a specific classification of mutations.
A nonsense mutation results in a stop codon. This can be the result of an insertion or a deletion, causing a change in the DNA sequence from a normal amino acid codon to one of the three possible stop codon sequences.
A missense mutation changes the identity of a codon from one amino acid to another, resulting in a change to the protein primary structure. A silent mutation occurs when a mutation does not change the amino acid coded for by that codon. A frameshift mutation is an insertion or deletion that changes the reading frame of the entire protein and can have severe detrimental effects. A radioactive mutation is not a specific classification of mutations.
Scientists were examining the maize genome. They had two specimens: one control and one specimen that had undergone mutagenesis. They saw that the mutant specimen underwent a knockout caused by a nucleotide switch in the DNA. Is this a dominant or recessive mutation?
Scientists were examining the maize genome. They had two specimens: one control and one specimen that had undergone mutagenesis. They saw that the mutant specimen underwent a knockout caused by a nucleotide switch in the DNA. Is this a dominant or recessive mutation?
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This mutation is dominant because whatever mutation occurred at the genomic level was sufficient to cause an amino acid switch, i.e., it was expressed. If this were recessive, we would see that the nucleotide base change would not have yielded a knock out. Recall that only one copy of a "bad" gene is required for it to be expressed if it is a dominant mutation, whereas two copies of the "bad" gene are required for it to be expressed if it is a recessive mutation. No information is provided to consider sex linked traits.
This mutation is dominant because whatever mutation occurred at the genomic level was sufficient to cause an amino acid switch, i.e., it was expressed. If this were recessive, we would see that the nucleotide base change would not have yielded a knock out. Recall that only one copy of a "bad" gene is required for it to be expressed if it is a dominant mutation, whereas two copies of the "bad" gene are required for it to be expressed if it is a recessive mutation. No information is provided to consider sex linked traits.
Scientists were examining the maize genome. They had two specimens: one control and one specimen that had undergone mutagenesis. They saw that the mutant specimen underwent a knockout caused by a nucleotide switch in the DNA. However, when they compared gene sequences, they saw no change in size. Which type of mutation had most likely occurred?
Scientists were examining the maize genome. They had two specimens: one control and one specimen that had undergone mutagenesis. They saw that the mutant specimen underwent a knockout caused by a nucleotide switch in the DNA. However, when they compared gene sequences, they saw no change in size. Which type of mutation had most likely occurred?
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The problem states that there was no change in gene size between the two specimens. That means that the mutant and the control still had the same number of nucleotide bases. Out of all options provided, substitution is the only possible type of mutation that fulfills the description. Deletion, insertion, nonsense and frameshift mutations would have all lead to a size discrepancy.
The problem states that there was no change in gene size between the two specimens. That means that the mutant and the control still had the same number of nucleotide bases. Out of all options provided, substitution is the only possible type of mutation that fulfills the description. Deletion, insertion, nonsense and frameshift mutations would have all lead to a size discrepancy.
The starting sequence of a gene changed from AUGTTCGACGTG to AUGTTTCGACGTG. What type of mutation is this?
The starting sequence of a gene changed from AUGTTCGACGTG to AUGTTTCGACGTG. What type of mutation is this?
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The change introduces an extra "T' near the beginning of the sequence. This mutation will change the frame of the codons of the gene, and result in a frameshift mutation.
The change introduces an extra "T' near the beginning of the sequence. This mutation will change the frame of the codons of the gene, and result in a frameshift mutation.
Scientists studying the genetics of a congenital disease analyzed the chromosomes of the patient and found a large portion of chromosome twenty-three in chromosome one, and a small part of chromosome one in chromosome twenty-three. What is this an example of?
Scientists studying the genetics of a congenital disease analyzed the chromosomes of the patient and found a large portion of chromosome twenty-three in chromosome one, and a small part of chromosome one in chromosome twenty-three. What is this an example of?
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Translocation is when two different chromosomes exchange large parts of the genetic sequence.
Translocation is when two different chromosomes exchange large parts of the genetic sequence.
A single nucleotide polymorphism changes one nucleotide in a gene sequence. As a result, the gene gains a stop codon 500 base pairs to soon and the protein—when it is translated—is truncated or cut short. Which of the following types of mutations did the point mutation cause?
A single nucleotide polymorphism changes one nucleotide in a gene sequence. As a result, the gene gains a stop codon 500 base pairs to soon and the protein—when it is translated—is truncated or cut short. Which of the following types of mutations did the point mutation cause?
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A nonsense mutation arises when a point mutation in DNA causes a mRNA strand to have a stop codon prematurely. It changes a base that would have led to an amino acid to a base that makes that triplet codon to a stop codon. This causes the ribosome to stop making the protein too soon and results in a shorter protein. The name arises from the drastic effect this has on the function of the protein.
While biologically important, the other choices are incorrect. An insertion mutation changes the number of bases in that segment of DNA—extra is base added. On the other hand, a missense mutation switches one amino acid for another in that sequence. Last, a frameshift mutation changes the reading frame of three codons. So if a gene in DNA has the following sequence (keeping in mind that there are two strands not one):
ACTATTCCCGGATTC
The resulting RNA sequence would be as follows:
UGAUAAGGGCCUAAG
A frameshift mutation would occur if a mutation caused thymine to be inserted into the first codon in the following DNA sequence:
A T CTATTCCCGGATTC
As a result, the resulting mRNA sequence would be the following:
U A GAUAAGGGCCUAAG
The entire reading frame has been changed. Because they have been moved over by one base all the triplet have been changed; therefore, each triplet is off by one base.
A nonsense mutation arises when a point mutation in DNA causes a mRNA strand to have a stop codon prematurely. It changes a base that would have led to an amino acid to a base that makes that triplet codon to a stop codon. This causes the ribosome to stop making the protein too soon and results in a shorter protein. The name arises from the drastic effect this has on the function of the protein.
While biologically important, the other choices are incorrect. An insertion mutation changes the number of bases in that segment of DNA—extra is base added. On the other hand, a missense mutation switches one amino acid for another in that sequence. Last, a frameshift mutation changes the reading frame of three codons. So if a gene in DNA has the following sequence (keeping in mind that there are two strands not one):
ACTATTCCCGGATTC
The resulting RNA sequence would be as follows:
UGAUAAGGGCCUAAG
A frameshift mutation would occur if a mutation caused thymine to be inserted into the first codon in the following DNA sequence:
A T CTATTCCCGGATTC
As a result, the resulting mRNA sequence would be the following:
U A GAUAAGGGCCUAAG
The entire reading frame has been changed. Because they have been moved over by one base all the triplet have been changed; therefore, each triplet is off by one base.
A transition is a mutation that includes a purine mutating to another purine or a pyrimidine mutating to another pyrimidine.
Which option shows a transition mutation?
A transition is a mutation that includes a purine mutating to another purine or a pyrimidine mutating to another pyrimidine.
Which option shows a transition mutation?
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Given the explanation provided, a transition is a mutation that mutates a purine to another purine, or a pyrimidine to another pyrimidine. The best way to solve is to assign the nucleotide as a purine or pyrimidine. To answer this, you must know that purines include adenine and guanine and pyrimidines include thymine, cytosine, and (in RNA) uracil.
Given the explanation provided, a transition is a mutation that mutates a purine to another purine, or a pyrimidine to another pyrimidine. The best way to solve is to assign the nucleotide as a purine or pyrimidine. To answer this, you must know that purines include adenine and guanine and pyrimidines include thymine, cytosine, and (in RNA) uracil.
Which of the following is most likely to drive evolution?
Which of the following is most likely to drive evolution?
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Evolution relies on genetic diversity. One source of genetic diversity is spontaneous mutation. One spontaneous mutation may be beneficial to an organism's fitness, increasing the chance of that mutation being passed to the next generation.
Evolution relies on genetic diversity. One source of genetic diversity is spontaneous mutation. One spontaneous mutation may be beneficial to an organism's fitness, increasing the chance of that mutation being passed to the next generation.
Sickle cell anemia is a blood disorder in which the red blood cells are not shaped correctly and cannot carry oxygen as well as regular blood cells.
Sickle cell anemia is known to be caused by a single base mutation. What type of mutation is sickle cell anemia most probably caused by?
Sickle cell anemia is a blood disorder in which the red blood cells are not shaped correctly and cannot carry oxygen as well as regular blood cells.
Sickle cell anemia is known to be caused by a single base mutation. What type of mutation is sickle cell anemia most probably caused by?
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The red blood cells are still made, but their shape is different. This can be caused by a missense mutation, the replacement of one amino acid by another. A nonsense mutation would produce a truncated protein, which most likely would not be functional at all. An insertion or deletion could cause a frameshift mutation which could produce a completely different protein. Nondisjunction refers to meiosis, not DNA replication.
The red blood cells are still made, but their shape is different. This can be caused by a missense mutation, the replacement of one amino acid by another. A nonsense mutation would produce a truncated protein, which most likely would not be functional at all. An insertion or deletion could cause a frameshift mutation which could produce a completely different protein. Nondisjunction refers to meiosis, not DNA replication.
What distinguishes mutations from evolution?
What distinguishes mutations from evolution?
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Mutations and evolution must be distinctly defined. Mutations happen to individuals. To acquire a mutation, a single event will cause the DNA of a single individual to become altered. If the result is a positive mutation, meaning the change helps increase the fitness of the individual (ability to reproduce), then it will get passed on to the next generation.
Evolution affects a population when mutations change the genetic variety of individuals. As a mutation spreads through the population by reproduction and inheritance it changes the genome of the species. As more and more mutations are acquired in the population, speciation can eventually occur.
Mutations and evolution must be distinctly defined. Mutations happen to individuals. To acquire a mutation, a single event will cause the DNA of a single individual to become altered. If the result is a positive mutation, meaning the change helps increase the fitness of the individual (ability to reproduce), then it will get passed on to the next generation.
Evolution affects a population when mutations change the genetic variety of individuals. As a mutation spreads through the population by reproduction and inheritance it changes the genome of the species. As more and more mutations are acquired in the population, speciation can eventually occur.