Mutations

Mutations

​Mutations

​Mutations

Mutations

• A mutation is a permanent change in the sequence of DNA

•  Changes in genetic material can result in the production of different proteins. This change can alter an organism’s traits.

• Mutations can occur randomly or can be triggered by environmental factors including exposure to x-rays, ultraviolet light, radioactive materials, and some types of chemicals. 

What happens when a mutation occurs?

The effects of a mutation depend on where in the DNA sequence the mutation happens and the type of mutation. Proteins express traits. Because mutations can change proteins, they can cause traits to change.

A mutation can be

• Positive

• Negative

• Neutral

Multiple Choice

Mutations are always bad

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

An environment becomes colder. Some of the rabbits which live there have a mutation that causes their fur to be longer and thicker allowing them to stay warmer. This is an example of a

• positive mutation

• negative mutation

• neutral mutation

Multiple Choice

A species of frog lives in the rainforest. One of the frogs is born with a mutation which causes it's skin to be completely white. This is an example of a

• positive mutation

• negative mutation

• neutral mutation

Multiple Choice

Between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago a mutation led to blue eyes in humans. This is an example of a

• positive mutation

• negative mutation

• neutral mutation

Types of mutations

• Insertion

• Deletion

• Duplication

• Inversion

Point or substitution mutation

Multiple Choice

When grandma's cookie recipe changed from 1 cup of brown sugar to 10 cup of brown sugar, this is an example of a __________ mutation.

• insertion

• deletion

• inversion

Multiple Choice

When grandma's cookie recipe changed from 2 cups chocolate chips to 2 chocolate chips this is an example of a __________ mutation.

• insertion

• deletion

• duplication

Multiple Choice

When grandma's cookie recipe changed from 350 degrees to 550 degrees, this is an example of a _________ mutation

• deletion

• substitution

• inversion

Environmental causes of mutations