Mutations

A scientist studying the effects of radiation on DNA performs an experiment in which she exposes a sequence of nitrogen bases found in DNA to radiation. The DNA before and after the radiation is shown below. Use the evidence to determine whether a mutation has occurred, and if so, interpret that mutation.

Before Exposure: ATCGTCA

After Exposure: ATTCGTCA

• No mutation has occurred to 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.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

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 is the relationship between proteins and DNA?

• The code found in a protein determines a DNA molecule's sequence.

• Proteins are made up of hundreds to millions of DNA molecules.

• DNA is made up of protein molecules.

• DNA contains the codes for proteins.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-1

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 to 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.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

Which of the following could be used to model the structure of a DNA molecule?

• a snowflake

• a ladder

• a three-dimensional cube

• a branching tree

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

• In the DNA only

• In genes only

• In DNA and genes only

• In DNA, genes, and chromosome

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

The model below shows the flow of genetic information in organisms.

DNA → Amino Acids → Proteins → Traits

A gene mutation would directly affect what component of the model?

• A gene mutation would directly affect DNA.

• A gene mutation would directly affect the amino acids.

• A gene mutation would directly affect the protein.

• A gene mutation would directly affect the amino trait

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS1-1

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.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

Students develop a model of DNA for their class project. Identify which rule they should follow in building their model.

• Adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine.

• Adenine pairs with guanine, and cytosine pairs with thymine.

• Adenine pairs with cytosine, and thymine pairs with guanine.

• Adenine pairs with either guanine, cytosine, or thymine.

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.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2