Biology Matriculation Quiz: Mutations

What is a mutation?

• A new species of animal

• A type of weather phenomenon

• A change in the DNA sequence of a gene

• A type of plant

Answer explanation

A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of a gene, which can lead to variations in traits and genetic disorders.

What are the different types of mutations?

• Addition, extension, replication, and modification

• Transformation, alteration, variation, and adjustment

• Substitution, insertion, deletion, and duplication

• Change, shift, transition, and conversion

Answer explanation

The different types of mutations are substitution, insertion, deletion, and duplication. These mutations involve changing, adding, removing, or duplicating genetic material.

How do mutations occur?

• Eating unhealthy food

• Exposure to sunlight

• Changes in the DNA sequence

• Lack of exercise

Answer explanation

Mutations occur due to changes in the DNA sequence.

What are the effects of mutations on an organism?

• Mutations only have harmful effects on an organism

• Mutations only have beneficial effects on an organism

• Mutations have no effect on an organism

• Mutations can have various effects on an organism, including no effect, beneficial effects, or harmful effects.

Answer explanation

Mutations can have various effects on an organism, including no effect, beneficial effects, or harmful effects. This is the correct choice.

What is a point mutation?

• A change in multiple nucleotide bases within a DNA sequence.

• A change in the shape of a DNA molecule.

• A change in the number of chromosomes in a cell.

• A change in a single nucleotide base within a DNA sequence.

Answer explanation

A point mutation refers to a change in a single nucleotide base within a DNA sequence. This is the correct choice because it accurately describes the definition of a point mutation.

What is a frameshift mutation?

• Genetic mutation caused by insertions or deletions of nucleotides in a DNA sequence

• Genetic mutation caused by inversion of nucleotides in a DNA sequence

• Genetic mutation caused by duplication of nucleotides in a DNA sequence

• Genetic mutation caused by substitution of nucleotides in a DNA sequence

Answer explanation

A frameshift mutation is a genetic mutation caused by insertions or deletions of nucleotides in a DNA sequence. It results in a shift in the reading frame, altering the entire sequence downstream. This is the correct choice.

What is a silent mutation?

• A mutation that only affects non-coding regions of DNA

• A mutation that occurs with a loud sound

• A change in the DNA sequence that results in a change to the amino acid sequence of a protein

• A change in the DNA sequence that does not result in a change to the amino acid sequence of a protein

Answer explanation

A silent mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that does not result in a change to the amino acid sequence of a protein.

What is a missense mutation?

• A missense mutation is a type of mutation that does not affect the amino acid sequence.

• A missense mutation is a type of mutation that only occurs in non-coding regions of DNA.

• A missense mutation is a type of mutation where a single nucleotide change results in a codon that codes for a different amino acid.

• A missense mutation is a type of mutation where a single nucleotide change results in a codon that codes for the same amino acid.

Answer explanation

A missense mutation is a type of mutation where a single nucleotide change results in a different amino acid. This is the correct choice.

What is a nonsense mutation?

• A mutation that results in a premature stop codon

• A mutation that causes the protein to fold incorrectly

• A mutation that results in a longer protein

• A mutation that has no effect on the protein

Answer explanation

A nonsense mutation is a mutation that results in a premature stop codon, causing the protein synthesis to terminate early.

How do mutations contribute to genetic diversity?

• Mutations decrease genetic variations in a population.

• Mutations only affect a single individual and not the entire population.

• Mutations have no impact on genetic diversity.

• Mutations introduce new genetic variations into a population.

Answer explanation

Mutations introduce new genetic variations into a population, increasing genetic diversity.