Genetic Diversity and Mutations

Woman scientist analyzing DNA

During replication, transcription and translation there can be a mistake made in the bonding of complementary bases. These mistakes lead to mutations. There are three main types of mutations: point mutations, insertion, and deletion mutations. In this activity, you will use the mRNA and amino acid sequences to identify the mutation that occurred and the likely effects of the mutation.

This activity is available below or in a printable version.

Part 1

  1. Determine the mRNA sequence from the original DNA sequence. Circle or highlight the change in the sequence.
  2. Determine the amino acid sequence from the mRNA sequence you determined in Step 1. You will need to use the mRNA Codon Chart to determine the amino acid sequence.
Original DNA Sequence: TACACCTTGGCGACGACT
mRNA Sequence:  
Amino Acid Sequence:  

Part 2

  1. Determine the mRNA sequence from the Mutated DNA Sequence for Mutated Sequence 1.
  2. Determine the amino acid sequence from the mRNA sequence from the mRNA sequence you determined in Step 1. You will need to use the mRNA Codon Chart to determine the amino acid sequence.
  3. Determine the likely effects of the mutation and the type of mutation.
  4. Repeat Steps 1-3 for Mutated Sequences 2-5.

Mutated Sequence 1

Original DNA Sequence: TACATCTTGGCGACGACT
mRNA Sequence:  
Amino Acid Sequence:  
What are the likely effects?  
What kind of mutation is this?  

Mutated Sequence 2

Original DNA Sequence: TACGACCTTGGCGACGACT
mRNA Sequence:  
Amino Acid Sequence:  
What are the likely effects?  
What kind of mutation is this?  

Mutated Sequence 3

Original DNA Sequence: TACACCTTAGCGACGACT
mRNA Sequence:  
Amino Acid Sequence:  
What are the likely effects?  
What kind of mutation is this?  

Mutated Sequence 4

Original DNA Sequence: TACACCTTGGCGACTACT
mRNA Sequence:  
Amino Acid Sequence:  
What are the likely effects?  
What kind of mutation is this?  

Mutated Sequence 5

Original DNA Sequence: TACACCTTGGGACGACT
mRNA Sequence:  
Amino Acid Sequence:  
What are the likely effects?  
What kind of mutation is this?  

 


Once your have completed this assignment, please submit your work to the dropbox.