Skip to main content
Ch. 15 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Transposition
Chapter 15, Problem 15

Refer to Figure 13.7 to respond to the following:

A base-substitution mutation that altered the sequence shown in part (a) eliminated the synthesis of all but one polypeptide. The altered sequence is shown here:

 5'-AUGCAUACCUAUGUGACCCUUGGA-3'

Determine why.

Verified Solution

Video duration:
1m
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Base-Substitution Mutation

A base-substitution mutation occurs when one nucleotide in the DNA sequence is replaced by another. This type of mutation can lead to changes in the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide, potentially altering its function. Depending on the nature of the substitution, it can be classified as silent, missense, or nonsense, each having different implications for protein synthesis.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:49
Base Distortions

Polypeptide Synthesis

Polypeptide synthesis is the process by which ribosomes translate mRNA sequences into polypeptides, which are chains of amino acids that fold into functional proteins. The sequence of nucleotides in mRNA determines the order of amino acids in the polypeptide. If a mutation alters the mRNA sequence, it can disrupt this process, leading to incomplete or nonfunctional proteins.
Recommended video:
Guided course
02:43
Translesion Synthesis

Start and Stop Codons

Start and stop codons are specific sequences in mRNA that signal the beginning and end of translation. The start codon (AUG) initiates protein synthesis, while stop codons (UAA, UAG, UGA) terminate it. If a base-substitution mutation affects these codons, it can prevent the synthesis of polypeptides or result in premature termination, explaining why only one polypeptide may be synthesized in the altered sequence.
Recommended video:
Guided course
11:43
The Genetic Code
Related Practice
Textbook Question
DNA damage brought on by a variety of natural and artificial agents elicits a wide variety of cellular responses involving numerous signaling pathways. In addition to the activation of DNA repair mechanisms, there can be activation of pathways leading to apoptosis (programmed cell death) and cell-cycle arrest. Why would apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest often be part of a cellular response to DNA damage?
406
views
Textbook Question

A glycine residue is in position 210 of the tryptophan synthetase enzyme of wild-type E. coli. If the codon specifying glycine is GGA, how many single-base substitutions will result in an amino acid substitution at position 210? What are they? How many will result if the wild-type codon is GGU?

308
views
Textbook Question
Contrast the various types of DNA repair mechanisms known to counteract the effects of UV radiation. What is the role of visible light in repairing UV-induced mutations?
358
views
Textbook Question
The family of a sixth-grade boy in Palo Alto, California, was informed by school administrators that he would have to transfer out of his middle school because they believed his mutation of the CFTR gene, which does not produce any symptoms associated with cystic fibrosis, posed a risk to other students at the school who have cystic fibrosis. After missing 11 days of school, a settlement was reached to have the boy return to school. What ethical problems might you associate with this example?
222
views
Textbook Question

A significant number of mutations in the HBB gene that cause human β-thalassemia occur within introns or in upstream noncoding sequences. Explain why mutations in these regions often lead to severe disease, although they may not directly alter the coding regions of the gene.

367
views
Textbook Question

Dominant mutations can be categorized according to whether they increase or decrease the overall activity of a gene or gene product. Although a loss-of-function mutation (a mutation that inactivates the gene product) is usually recessive, for some genes, one dose of the normal gene product, encoded by the normal allele, is not sufficient to produce a normal phenotype. In this case, a loss-of-function mutation in the gene will be dominant, and the gene is said to be haploinsufficient. A second category of dominant mutation is the gain-of-function mutation, which results in a new activity or increased activity or expression of a gene or gene product. The gene therapy technique currently being used in clinical trials involves the 'addition' to somatic cells of a normal copy of a gene. In other words, a normal copy of the gene is inserted into the genome of the mutant somatic cell, but the mutated copy of the gene is not removed or replaced. Will this strategy work for either of the two aforementioned types of dominant mutations?

399
views