DNA and Mutations

A mutation is defined as

• a chance in the cell's strucure

• any change in the physical features of a human

• anything that changes in an embryp

• a change in an organism's DNA sequence

Original DNA Sequence: ATC CAT

Mutated DNA Sequence: ATC AT...

What mutation occurred?

• deletion

• insertion

• shift

• substitution

Original DNA sequence: ATC CAT

Mutated DNA sequence: ATC GCA T...

What mutation occurred?

• deletion

• shift

• insertion

• transverse

A geneticist is comparing a sequence of nitrogen bases from a child's DNA to the same sequence in his father's DNA. The DNA sequences are shown below. Use the evidence to determine whether a mutation has occurred in the child's DNA, and if so, interpret that mutation.

Father's DNA: GGCTATC

Child's DNA: GGCTATC

• No mutation has occurred in the DNA sequence

• A nitrogen base has been deleted from the DNA molecule

• A nitrogen base has replaced another nitrogen base in the DNA molecule

• A nitrogen base has been added to the DNA molecule

Which of the following are segments of information along the DNA molecule in a chromosome?

• genes

• chromatids

• centrioles

• proteins

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

A team of scientists studying how pesticides affect the genetic makeup of plants performs an experiment in which they expose a sample of corn plants to a pesticide over time. The DNA before and after the expose is shown below. Use the evidence to determine whether a mutation has occurred in the plant's DNA, and if so, interpret that mutation.

Before exposure: ATCGCCGCA

After exposure: ATCGCGGCA

• No mutation has occurred in the DNA sequence

• A nitrogen base has been deleted from the offspring's DNA molecule

• A nitrogen base has replaced another nitrogen base in the offspring's DNA molecule

• A nitrogen base has been added to the offspring's DNA molecule

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

Over many generations, mutations have occurred to the harmless California king snake that have cause 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 will not be passed down from parent to offspring

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

• There is not enough evidence to support an answer