Introduction to Mutations

Mutations

Review

Genes code for
specific amino acids
which are the building
blocks of proteins

Review

Multiple Choice

During transcription, this type of ribonucleic acid is responsible for copying the DNA and brining it out of the nucleus.

• tRNA

• mRNA

• rRNA

• dRNA

Multiple Choice

When these bond together, they form a protein

• Amino Acids

• Peptide Bonds

• Ribose

• Nucleotides

Multiple Choice

A string of nucleotides that contain the information to make a specific protein

• Ribose

• Amino Acids

• tRNA

• Gene

Multiple Choice

The process where DNA is transcribed to mRNA happens in what part of the cell?

• Nucleus
• Mitochondria
• Cytoplasm
• Endoplasmic Reticulum

Multiple Choice

DNA holds the code for

• lipids
• carbohydrates
• protein
• sugar

Mutation = A change in an organism's genes that can be inherited or acquired.
This change in sequence can affect the proteins produced.

Change in

genes

Change in

protein

Change in

trait

​

Example: Lactose Intolerance

​

Missing
Lactase
Enzyme

​

Example: Sickle Cell Anemia

Hemoglobin
is a protein in
blood cells
that carry oxygen

Multiple Choice

A change in the sequence of DNA is known as a

• transgenic shift
• Single Genotype
• Monohybrid Trait
• Mutation

Multiple Choice

Why is the order of amino acids so important?

• The order of amino acids dictates what shape the protein will fold into.
• It is not important. The protein folding chamber will force the protein to fold into the correct shape.

Multiple Choice

Mutations can affect the _______ of a protein which will hinder its overall ______.

• gene, function 
• sequence, gene
• shape,function

Multiple Choice

Are all mutations bad?

• Yes
• No

Mutations

Helpful

Neutral

Harmful

​Mutations can generally be categorized as either helpful, neutral, or harmful. Take a look at the photos. How would you categorize each of the mutations?

​

Harmful Mutation

Mutation that
decreases an
organism’s chance
of survival or
reproduction

​

Why is albinism in
this tree frog a
harmful mutation?

​

Helpful Mutation

Mutation that
increases an
organism’s chance
of survival or
reproduction

​

​

Neutral Mutation

Mutation that
neither increases nor
decreases an
organism’s chance
of survival or
reproduction

Multiple Choice

An African American couple welcomed their first child. They were surprised to see that his eyes were a bright blue. Is this mutation helpful, neutral, or harmful?

• helpful

• neutral

• harmful

Multiple Choice

Winters in the Philippines have grown increasingly colder. This Bornean orangutan has a mutation for long hair. Will his hair be helpful, neutral, or harmful for the shift in weather in his area?

• helpful

• neutral

• harmful

Multiple Choice

Plant fasciation can occur in flowers due to a mutation. It elongates the flowers and flattens its stems but the flower can function regardless. Is this mutation helpful, neutral, or harmful?

• helpful

• neutral

• harmful

Multiple Choice

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have developed due to the overuse of antibiotics to treat infection. These bacteria are no longer successfully cured with traditional treatments and can be fatal. Is this bacteria's mutation helpful, neutral, or harmful to its species?

• helpful

• neutral

• harmful

Point Mutations

• A point mutation is when only one part of a DNA or RNA sequence is changed.

• This usually happens with a substitution mutation

• One nucleotide is replaced with a different nucleotide

• Can result in a different amino acid being created.

Frame Shift Mutation

• When a mutation causes a DNA or RNA change in sequence.

• Usually an insertion or deletion mutation

• When a nucleotide is inserted or deleted, it will change the rest of the code after it

• Can result in the whole structure being different.

Think of the gene sequence like a sentence. In a silent mutation, the meaning of the sentence remains the same; however, point mutations can result in the wrong amino acid sequence which can upset the protein's structure. Frameshift mutations can be so severe that no protein is made at all.

Multiple Choice

What mutation has occurred here?

T-G-A-C-C-A

T-G-A-G-C-A

• Substitution

• Deletion

• Insertion

• Frameshift

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would result in a frameshift mutation?

• Insertions only

• Substitution only

• Deletion only

• Insertions and Deletions

Multiple Choice

ATTTGAGCC- Original

ATTGAGCC - Mutated

The example above is an example of a

• Insertion- Frameshift

• Deletion- Substitution

• Deletion -Frameshift

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

What mutation has occurred here?

T-G-A-C-C-A

T-G-A-G-C-A

• Substitution

• Deletion

• Insertion

• Frameshift

Multiple Choice

Why are insertion and deletion (frameshift) mutations so harmful?

• They change all of the codons from the mutation on down the line, which changes the amino acid sequence

• They insert things that an organism doesn't need.

• They often delete things that organisms need.

• Insertion and deletions are not any more harmful than substitution mutations.