Name: Date: Period:

Spiderman MutationsName: ______Per: ______Date: ______

The genethat allows Spider-Man to make webs, called webbin reads TAC GAT GGC. He spends the entire morning in the sun. The ultraviolet rays of the sun have acted as a mutagen and changed the DNA in some of Spider-Man’s skin cells. Complete the table for Mutations 1 -3 and answer the mastery questions based on this information. An example has been completed for you.

DNA Sequence / Amino Acid Sequence
(use the mRNA codon chart at the bottom of the page) / How is the mutation different from the original? Is it a point, deletion/frameshift, OR insertion/frameshift mutation?
Original: TAC GAT GGC / What overall effect did this change cause? Why?
Original DNA Strand:
TAC GAT GGC / mRNA: AUG CUA CCG
Amino Acid: Met ----- Leu ----- Pro
EXAMPLE Mutation
TAC GAC GGC / mRNA: AUG CUG CCG
Amino Acid: Met ----- Leu ----- Pro / Point Mutation
The T in the DNA became a C / No change. Spiderman will still make webs.
The mRNA codon CUG coded for the same amino acid that the CUA did)
Mutation #1:
TAC GTT GGC / mRNA:
Amino Acid: -- --
Mutation #2:
TAC GGA TGG C / mRNA:
Amino Acid: -- --
Mutation #3:
TAC GAG GC / mRNA:
Amino Acid: -- --

Mastery Questions:

1)How can a mutation change the protein created? (Describe the process from DNA to protein)

2)Do ALL mutations cause a change in the expression of a gene’s phenotype? (HINT: will EVERY mutation leave Spiderman with no webs) Why or why not?

3)CHALLENGE: What is a mutagen? What are some examples of mutagens you might experience in your environment?

  1. What are mutagens?
  1. What are carcinogens?
  1. What are examples of mutagens?
  1. How can a high fat diet lead to an increased risk of a mutation occurring? (Why you should not eat hot cheetohs!)

The Effects of Mutation – Talk to the Text!

Mutations add, delete, or rearrange genetic material.

Not all mutations are inherited. Mutations can happen spontaneously due to DNA replication errors, or they can be induced by mutagens. Only those mutations taking place in cells that produce gametes will be inherited. If they occur in a somatic (body) cell, they will NOT be inherited. In some cases, these somatic mutations trigger the onset of cancer.

THE 4 MUTATION TYPES:

  1. Point mutations: one nucleotide is changed
  2. Frameshift mutations: Insertion or deletion of one nucleotide
  3. Chromosomal mutations: parts of chromosomes are moved around or deleted
  4. Polyploidy: entire chromosomes are duplicated or deleted.

It is not correct to assume that all mutations are harmful. Mutations can be harmful, neutral of beneficial:

Sickle Cell Anemia

GAG CUC Glutamine normal red blood cells
GTG CACValinesickled red blood cells
(circle one) Harmful, Neutral or Beneficial?

THE 3 EFFECTS OF MUTATIONS:

  1. Harmful (protein’s shape is altered or changed and does not do original job = disease)
  2. Neutral (no effect because the protein doesn’t change)
  3. Beneficial (the protein is shaped differently but has a better function or one that helps the organism survive better. These mutations help us evolve by natural selection)

Mastery Questions:

  1. Define the term Mutations: ______

______

  1. Which type of mutation is inherited, somatic or gametic? Explain why. ______

______

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  1. Are all mutations harmful? Explain. ______

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  1. Try this Problem:

Original DNA: TAC GGC ATC / Mutated DNA: TAC GGG ATC
Original mRNA: ______/ Mutated mRNA: ______
Original Amino Acid Sequence: -- -- / Mutated Amino Acid Sequence: -- --
  1. What type of mutation was caused (point, frameshift/insertion, or frameshift/deletion)?

______

  1. Did the mutation have an effect on the protein created? (Hint: compare the amino acid sequences of the original DNA and the mutated DNA) ______

______

Mutations Quiz Questions

  1. Mutations can be harmful.What is a possible advantage of mutations to a species?
  2. They eliminate harmful genes.
  3. They provide genetic variation.
  4. They change unnecessary genes.
  5. They destroy poorly adapted individuals.
  6. The type of mutation where only one nucleotide (in a gene) is changed is known as
  7. frameshift mutation
  8. point mutation
  9. chromosomal mutation
  10. polyploidy
  11. X-rays can cause mutations.Why are technicians who give x-rays always careful to protect areas with reproductive cells, such as eggs and sperm?
  12. because eggs and sperm are particularlylikely to mutate
  13. because mutations in eggs and sperm can be passed on to children
  14. because mutations to eggs and sperm are particularly dangerous to adults
  15. because protecting areas with eggs and sperm prevents mutations in other parts of the body
  16. Ms. Willis has a mutation that affects some skin cells on her arm.What will be the effect of this mutation if she has a child?
  17. All of the child's cells will have the mutation.
  18. None of the child’s cells will have the mutation.
  19. Only some skin cells on the child's arm will have the mutation.
  20. Some skin cells on thechild'sarm will have the mutation only if the father has the same mutation.
  1. Which statement best explains the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis?
  1. Ribosomes are the sites where DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA.
  2. Ribosomes assemble chains of proteins from pieces of DNA in the nucleus.
  3. Ribosomes are the sites where the message in mRNA is translated into proteins.
  4. Ribosomes carry messenger RNA to the cytoplasm where it is translated into DNA