Mutation – types, causes, detection, significance - One Line Questions

1. What is a missense mutation? A mutation that results in a different amino acid being incorporated into the protein.
2. What is a neutral mutation? A mutation that has no significant effect on an organism's fitness.
3. What is a mutation? A permanent change in the DNA sequence of an organism.
4. Gain-of-function mutations typically result in: A protein with a novel or enhanced activity.
5. What is an inversion mutation? A segment of a chromosome breaks off and reattaches in the reverse orientation.
6. What is a frameshift mutation? A mutation that adds or deletes nucleotides, shifting the reading frame of codons.
7. Intercalating agents are mutagens that: Insert themselves into the DNA double helix, distorting its structure and causing insertions or deletions.
8. Most mutations are considered to be: Deleterious
9. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation primarily causes mutations by: Forming thymine dimers.
10. The Ames test is commonly used to detect: Mutations in bacteria.
11. Which type of mutation involves a change in a single nucleotide base? Point mutation
12. Which genetic disorder is caused by a point mutation in the hemoglobin gene?
13. A mutation that increases an organism's fitness in its environment is called a(n): Beneficial mutation
14. Which type of mutation occurs when one or more nucleotide bases are added to a DNA sequence? Insertion
15. A chromosomal mutation where a segment of a chromosome is repeated is known as: Duplication
16. Which of the following is NOT a type of chromosomal mutation? Point mutation
17. Which enzyme is primarily responsible for proofreading and correcting errors during DNA replication, thus minimizing spontaneous mutations? DNA polymerase
18. Which of the following is a method used for detecting mutations? All of the above
19. What are mutagens? Agents that can cause mutations.
20. Which of the following is a known cause of spontaneous mutations? Errors during DNA replication
21. A mutation that renders a gene non-functional is often described as a: Loss-of-function mutation
22. The significance of mutations lies in their role as the ultimate source of: Genetic variation
23. Mutations can lead to the development of: New traits and adaptations.
24. Somatic mutations occur in: Body cells (non-reproductive cells).
25. Cancer is often associated with the accumulation of: Somatic mutations in critical genes (oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes).
26. What is polyploidy? Having more than two complete sets of chromosomes.
27. Mutations that occur in somatic cells are: Not heritable.
28. Gel electrophoresis can help detect mutations by: Revealing changes in DNA fragment size due to insertions or deletions.
29. What is the term for mutations that occur spontaneously without exposure to external mutagens? Spontaneous mutations
30. Base analogs are mutagens that: Can be mistakenly incorporated into DNA during replication due to structural similarity to normal bases.
31. A mutation caused by the removal of one or more nucleotide bases from a DNA sequence is called a: Deletion
32. Ionizing radiation, like X-rays, can cause mutations by: Breaking the DNA backbone.
33. A chromosomal mutation involving the detachment of a segment from one chromosome and its attachment to a non-homologous chromosome is called: Translocation
34. A substitution mutation where the new codon codes for the same amino acid is called a: Silent mutation
35. A mutation that introduces a premature stop codon, leading to a truncated protein, is known as a: Nonsense mutation
36. Which of these is a physical mutagen? Ionizing radiation
37. The genetic code's degeneracy (multiple codons for one amino acid) provides a buffer against the effects of which type of mutation? Missense mutation
38. Which of the following is an example of a chromosomal mutation? Deletion of a gene segment
39. Down syndrome is a result of which type of mutation? Aneuploidy (Trisomy 21)
40. The condition of having an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell, such as having an extra chromosome 21 (Down syndrome), is an example of: Aneuploidy
41. What is the primary principle behind using DNA sequencing to detect mutations? Determining the order of nucleotide bases in a DNA molecule.
42. Germline mutations occur in: Cells that give rise to gametes.
43. The ability of viruses to rapidly evolve new strains is largely due to: High mutation rates and short generation times.
44. Which type of mutation can be passed on to offspring? Germline mutation
45. Which technique allows for the amplification of specific DNA regions to screen for mutations? PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
46. What is aneuploidy? The gain or loss of one or more chromosomes, but not entire sets.
47. What is the significance of mutations in evolution? They are the source of new genetic variation.
48. Which of the following is a type of point mutation? Substitution
49. Which of these is a chemical mutagen? Alkylating agents