Mutation Quiz

What is a mutation?

• A change in the sequence of genetic letters within a molecule of DNA

• A change in the structure of a gene

• A change in the structure of a chromosome

• A change in the sequence of nucleotides within a gene

Which of the following is an example of a point mutation?

• Flipping around of a segment of DNA within a chromosome

• Insertion of a long segment of DNA into a chromosome

• Change in a single base within a gene

• Deletion of a segment of DNA from a chromosome

What can happen when a base is changed in a gene?

• All of the above

• The gene may produce the usual protein

• The gene may produce no protein

• The gene may produce an altered protein

Which of the following is a harmful mutation?

• A chromosomal mutation that duplicates a segment of DNA

• A point mutation that produces an altered protein

• A chromosomal mutation that inserts a long segment of DNA into a chromosome

• A chromosomal mutation that flips around a segment of DNA within a chromosome

What is Down syndrome?

• A condition caused by a point mutation in a gene

• A condition caused by a chromosomal mutation that inserts a long segment of DNA into a chromosome

• A condition caused by a chromosomal mutation that flips around a segment of DNA within a chromosome

• A condition caused by the presence of an extra copy of a particular chromosome

What are hereditary mutations?

• Mutations that occur spontaneously and randomly in genes

• Mutations that occur in somatic cells and can be passed down to offspring

• Mutations that occur in egg or sperm cells and can be passed down to offspring

• Mutations that occur during an individual's lifetime

How are acquired mutations passed down?

• If they occur in egg or sperm cells

• They cannot be passed down

• If they occur in somatic cells

• If they occur in any body cells

What causes acquired mutations?

• Neither A nor B

• Both A and B

• Exposure to radiation

• Exposure to certain chemicals

What happens to mutations that improve survival or reproduction?

• They become harmful over time

• They have no effect on their frequency

• They become less common over time

• They become more common over time

What is the role of mutation in evolution?

• It drives evolution by decreasing genetic variation

• It drives evolution by increasing genetic variation

• It has no role in evolution

• It causes extinction