Genes and the Impact of Mutations

In a cell, gene mutations affect:

• the production of nucleic acids.

• the production of lipids.

• the production of carbohydrates

• the production of proteins.

Proteins carry out all of the following cell functions except:

• regulating what enters and exits the cell.

• containing all the cell's genetic information.

• helping the cell to reproduce.

• providing support and structure for the cell

A mutation occurs to a gene in a body cell that results in tumors growing along a person's nerves or under the skin. They increase the chances of the person having learning disabilities. Analyze the impact of this mutation on the organism.

• The mutation is beneficial.

• The mutation is harmful.

• The mutation is neutral.

• The mutation will be passed down to the person's offspring.

What criteria can you use to determine whether a mutation positively impacts an organism?

• The mutation increases the organism's chance for survival and reproduction.

• The mutation decreases the organism's chance for survival and reproduction.

• The mutation has no effect on the organism's chance for survival and reproduction.

• The mutation will most likely not be passed down to offspring.

A gene mutation occurs that causes an organism to produce more of an enzyme that helps repair damaged cells. Predict how this will impact the organism.

• The organism will not be able to repair cells.

• The organism will take less time to repair cells.

• The organism will use less energy to repair cells.

• The organism will use more energy to repair cells.

Over many generations, mutations have occurred to the harmless California king snake that have caused it to resemble the poisonous western coral snake. Analyze the impact of this mutation on the organism.

• The mutation is most likely beneficial.

• The mutation is most likely harmful.

• The mutation is most likely neutral.

• The mutation is not passed down from parent to offspring.

Describe the relationship between genes, chromosomes, and DNA

• DNA is made up of pieces of chromosomes that contain genes.

• Chromosomes are regions on a gene made of DNA

• Genes are pieces of DNA located on chromosomes.

• DNA is made up of chromosomes found on genes.

Scientists change the genes of a tomato plant to produce a protein that is a natural pesticide. Justify why this is classified as a positive mutation

• This demonstrates that scientists are able to manipulate an organism's genes.

• The plant will develop a symbiotic relationship with insects.

• The plant will be resistant to insects, increasing its chances of survival

• This may cause a decrease in the genetic diversity of the tomato plant.

Genes are located in which part of a cell?

• the nucleus

• the cytoplasm

• the cell membrane

• the ribosomes

The code for a protein is found in which of the following cell structures?

• in DNA only

• in genes only

• in DNA and genes only

• in DNA, genes, and chromosomes