Genetics : Genetics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Genetics

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Example Questions

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Example Question #6 : Dna Mutations, Damage, And Repair Mechanisms

Xeroderma pigmentosum is a disease where there are 7 mutated genes which were caused by UV damage. Which process of the DNA repair mechanism is defective?

Possible Answers:

homologous recombination repair

nucleotide excision repair

genomic instability

DNA mismatch repair

Correct answer:

nucleotide excision repair

Explanation:

Nucleotide excision repairs refers to short sequences of DNA being removed and repaired with the undamaged strand. It is usually removing bulky adducts on DNA, mostly thymine dimers which are caused by UV radiation. DNA mismatch repair is fixing a single mismatched DNA. Homologous recombination repair is fixing a double stranded break and using the sister chromosome as a template. These are mostly autosomal recessive disorders. Genomic instability simply refers to the high number of mutation which leads to instabilities in the genome. 

Example Question #221 : Genetics

What pair of chromosomes are mutated when a child exhibits down syndrome characteristics?

Possible Answers:

2

18

25

21

Correct answer:

21

Explanation:

The correct answer here is 21. Remember that we can begin by excluding the option that is 25 because there are only 23 pairs of chromosomes in a human being. If you chose any of the other options, remember that down syndrome is also called trisomy 21. This is a syndrome where the 21st pair of chromosomes has a third mutation on it. 

Example Question #11 : Dna Mutations, Damage, And Repair Mechanisms

Which method of DNA repair is used to correct damages caused by UV Radiation?

Possible Answers:

mismatch repair

base excision repair

non-homologous end joint

nucleotide excision repair

Correct answer:

nucleotide excision repair

Explanation:

Nucleotide excision repair corrects DNA that turns into pyrimidine dimers. These are usually caused by ultraviolet radiation and result in sizable DNA adducts. 

Example Question #221 : Genetics

What is the name for a mutation that occurs when one nucleic acid in the sequence is switched with another?

Possible Answers:

frame shift

deletion

Insertion

point mutation

Correct answer:

point mutation

Explanation:

Point mutations occur when one nucleic base is swapped for a different nucleic base.

Example Question #221 : Genetics

If a nucleic acid is added into the RNA sequence, what type of mutation is this?

Possible Answers:

insertion

point mutation

addition 

deletion

Correct answer:

insertion

Explanation:

It is an insertion because a nucleic acid was added to the sequence.

Example Question #11 : Dna Mutations, Damage, And Repair Mechanisms

Which of the following represents a transition mutation in the following strand?

ATGCTGCAAGTA

Possible Answers:

ATGTCGCAAGTA

ATGCTCCAAGTA

ATGTCTGCAAGTA

ATGCTGCCAGTA

AGGCTGCAAGTA

Correct answer:

ATGCTCCAAGTA

Explanation:

A transition mutation represents a purine-to-purine mutation or a pyrimidine-to-pyrimidine mutation. This could be a change of A to T, or vice versa. It could also be a change of C to G, or vice versa. Remember, a transition mutation does not insert or delete any bases. It simply changes a base.

Example Question #12 : Dna Mutations, Damage, And Repair Mechanisms

Which of the following mutation would be most deleterious?

Possible Answers:

Deletion of one base int he 3'UTR

Insertion of three bases in a coding region of mRNA

A insertion of two bases in the splice site

A change of one base in the wobble position in a coding region of mRNA

An insertion of one base in an intron

Correct answer:

A insertion of two bases in the splice site

Explanation:

The most deleterious mutation would be a frameshift mutation. This would attained by inserting or deleting multiples of 1 or 2 bases in any important coding regions (exons, splice site, translation start site). Inserting or deleting multiples of 3 bases would not cause a frameshift mutation. A mutation in 3' UTR or intron would essentially have minimal effects. A mutation in the wobble position would most likely not change the amino acid.

Example Question #11 : Dna Mutations, Damage, And Repair Mechanisms

A T G C C T G G A T A G C T A

T A C G G A C C T A T C G A T

The original strand of DNA is written above. Which of the following choices represents a possible frameshift mutation?

Possible Answers:

A T G C T G G A T A G C T

T A C G A C C T A T C G A

A T G G G A T A G C T A

T A C C C T A T C G A T

A T G C C T G G G T A G C T A

T A C G G A C C C A T C G A T

A T G C A T G G A T A G C T A

T A C G T A C C T A T C G A T

Correct answer:

A T G C T G G A T A G C T

T A C G A C C T A T C G A

Explanation:

Recall that a frameshift mutation occurs when part of one or more codons in lost in such a way that the entire sequence of codons "shifts," making the transcribed mRNA translate as a different pattern of amino acids during protein synthesis. This is a big problem, since it means that a sequence of DNA coding for a specific protein now likely codes for a completely, fundamentally different one.

The correct answer is:

A T G C T G G A T A G C T A

T A C G A C C T A T C G A T

Compare to the original DNA, and note where one base pair was removed:

A T G C C T G G A T A G C T A

T A C G G A C C T A T C G A T

The codons on a piece of mRNA transcribed from the top strand of the non-mutated form would read:

UAC GGA CCU AUC GAU

However, mRNA transcribed from the mutated DNA would read:

UAC GAC CUA UCG AT[ ] (we don't know the last codon, since the next base pair is not given)

This is a serious issue. The non-mutated form codes for these first four amino acids...

tyr  gly  pro  ile

...while the mutated form codes for these first four amino acids:

tyr  asp  leu  ser

Clearly, frameshift mutations can be very dangerous.

 

Example Question #13 : Dna Mutations, Damage, And Repair Mechanisms

If a cell cannot repair itself, how does it take action to destroy itself?

Possible Answers:

senescence

 

apoptosis

it cannot repair itself, leading to cancerous cells

translesion synthesis

Correct answer:

apoptosis

Explanation:

The correct answer here is apoptosis. All other options are things that can occur to a cell that has been damaged, however, the only option where a cell will abruptly commit suicide is apoptosis. The other options, such as cancerous cells or dormancy do occur. 

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