Mutations

Question 1

What is a mutation?

Answer 1

A change in the sequence of bases in DNA

Question 2

State one example of a physical mutagen

Answer 2

Ionizing radiation such as x-rays

Question 3

What is a mutagen?

Answer 3

A physical, biological or chemical agent which causes a mutation

Question 4

What do physical mutagens do?

Answer 4

Break one or both DNA strands

Question 5

State one chemical mutagen

Answer 5

Deaminating agents

Question 6

What do chemical mutagens do?

Answer 6

Chemically alter bases in DNA; such as converting cytosine to uracil, changing the base sequence

Question 7

State three biological mutagens

Answer 7

Alkylating agents

Base analogs

Viruses

Question 8

What do alkylating agents do?

Answer 8

Attaches methyl or ethyl groups to bases, resulting in the incorrect pairing of bases during replication

Question 9

What do base analogues do?

Answer 9

They have a similar structure to one of the four bases and get incorporated in place of a base, changing the base sequence

Question 10

What do viruses do?

Answer 10

Viral DNA may insert itself into a genome, changing the base sequence

Question 11

What are the three effects of mutations?

Answer 11

Nonsense

Missense

Silent