Biology: Understanding Mutations

What is the primary role of DNA in living organisms?

• To regulate body temperature

• To provide energy

• To carry and pass on genetic information

• To protect cells from damage

What is a point mutation?

• A change in the cell membrane

• A change in the number of chromosomes

• A change in a single nucleotide base pair

• A change in the entire chromosome

Which type of mutation results in the same amino acid being produced despite a change in the DNA sequence?

• Silent mutation

• Nonsense mutation

• Missense mutation

• Frameshift mutation

What happens during a frameshift mutation?

• A chromosome is duplicated

• A single nucleotide is replaced

• An extra base is added or removed, affecting the entire sequence

• A gene is inverted

What is the result of a nondisjunction event during meiosis?

• Increased protein synthesis

• Chromosomes fail to separate properly

• Decreased cell division

• Normal separation of chromosomes

What condition is associated with trisomy 21?

• Down syndrome

• Klinefelter syndrome

• Turner syndrome

• Patau syndrome

Which of the following is a known mutagen?

• Carbon dioxide

• Radiation

• Oxygen

• Water

How can mutations be beneficial?

• They prevent cell division

• They only occur in plants

• They can lead to adaptations and new species

• They always cause diseases

Which gene is often associated with cancer when mutated?

• p53

• HcB

• BRCA 1

• GAT

What is the effect of a mutation during transcription?

• It results in a new species

• It causes immediate cell death

• It affects only the protein being made at that time

• It affects all future generations