In an experiment employing the methods of the Ames test, two stra...

Question

In an experiment employing the methods of the Ames test, two strains of Salmonella are used. Strain A contains a base-substitution mutation, and Strain B contains a frameshift mutation. Four plates are prepared to test the mutagenicity of the compound ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). Plate 1 is a control plate with Strain A and S9 extract but no EMS. Plate 2 is also a control plate and contains Strain B and S9 extract but no EMS. Plate 3 contains Strain A along with S9 extract and EMS, and Plate 4 contains Strain B, S9 extract, and EMS.

Suppose the compound being tested was proflavin instead of EMS. Would this change the Ames test results? Explain why or why not.

Accepted Answer

Hello, everyone and welcome to today's video. So a microbiologist believes that using proven as a test compound in the A S test, using two strains of salmonella strain A that contains base substitution mutation and strain B that carries a frameshift mutation will produce an inaccurate result. The microbiology statement is justified because as answer choice A we have pro flavin is not mugen and will not produce any detectable changes in the test. As answer choice B, we have profin causes base substitution mutations and strain B already contains a frame shift mutation. As answer choice C, we have pro flavin causes frameshift mutations and strain B already contains a frameshift mutation. As answer choice D we have pro flavin is a potent mutagen and will mass the effects of any other Mugen in the test. Now, in order to solve this problem, we need to understand this molecule. Pro flavin, it is a mutagen and when it comes in contact with DNA, it is going to cause micro insertions and the lesions which are going to be leading to what we call frame shift mutations. So pro flavin is going to be causing frameshift mutations. Now, in the MS test, we're going to be testing for the effect or whether a specific compound is going to have an effect on DNA. Now, pro flavin is definitely going to have an effect on DNA by causing frameshift mutations. But if we have a strain that already contains frame shift mutations such as strain B in the problem, which is stated to be carrying a friendship mutations, then we're not going to know whether it was pro flavin or the fact that strain B was carrying a friendship mutation that ended causing or ended with strain B having a friendship mutation. And therefore, it is not the best compound to use as a test compound in this MS test. And therefore the correct answer for this question is going to be C proven causes frameshift mutations and strain B already contains a frameshift mutation. And this is why the microbiology statement is going to be justified. I really hope this video helped you and I hope to see you on the next one.

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