Investigation of Point Mutations

Essential Questions: What are mutations and how do they occur?

Record Data and Observations

Part 1
1. Describe the result of the substitution mutation that occurs when you substitute the base
C (cytosine), G (guanine), or T (thymine) for the adenine (A) in the first DNA codon in
Part 1.
G,A,C,T,A,C,T,C,G,C,C,T
CGT

Parts 2 and 3
2. Use the space below to draw the original sequences of DNA, RNA, and amino acids in
this activity before any mutations occurred.

3. Describe the results of the single base deletion mutations.

The two DNA sequences and polypeptide chains they produce. What
type of mutation has occurred to the bottom sequence? which is
Deletion.
4. Describe the results of the single base insertion mutations.
The production of the wrong amino acids causes early termination of the amino acid
chain ( protein), and changes highly structured information stored in the DNA.

Investigation of Point Mutations • Copyright © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.
 Part 4
5. Summarize the difference(s) you observed between the model of the white-eyed fly’s
DNA sequence and the model of the red-eyed fly’s DNA sequence.
Deletion mutations cause the loss of all or part of a chromosome. In this case, gene "B" has
been removed, and any cell containing the damaged chromosome will not be able to
produce the protein coded for by gene "B". Inversion mutations switch the location of two
or more genes in a chromosome. This could disrupt the normal regulation of the
gene.Translocation mutations result in the removal of part of one chromosome and its
insertion into another chromosome.
Analyze and Conclude
6. Describe Patterns Describe the general effect(s) that mutations can have on an
organism.
Genetic disorders or cancer. Before the spread of a mutation that
allowed some humans to keep producing an enzyme needed to
digest milk, every adult human was lactose intolerant!
7. Analyze Data Compare and contrast the three different types of mutations in this activity
Base substitutions, deletions and insertions.
and their results.
Mutations can induce beneficial changes to organisms or be practically
imperceptible, without physically or functionally affecting individuals.

8. Relate Cause and Effect Are all mutations bad? Explain.

All genetic mutations lead to genetic disorders. “Some genetic mutations
don't have any effect on your health and well-being. This is because the
change in the DNA sequence doesn't change how your cell functions. Your
body also has enzymes, which are a substance that creates chemical reactions
in our body.”

Investigation of Point Mutations • Copyright © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.