Textbook Question
Most mutations in a diploid organism are recessive. Why?
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Ch. 14 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Transposition
Klug10th EditionEssentials of GeneticsISBN: 9780135588789
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Introduction to Genetics16
- Ch. 2 - Mitosis and Meiosis28
- Ch. 3 - Mendelian Genetics37
- Ch. 4 - Modification of Mendelian Ratios53
- Ch. 5 - Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes32
- Ch. 6 - Chromosome Mutations: Variation in Number and Arrangement37
- Ch. 7 - Linkage and Chromosome Mapping in Eukaryotes36
- Ch. 8 - Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages24
- Ch. 9 - DNA Structure and Analysis38
- Ch. 10 - DNA Replication29
- Ch. 11 - Chromosome Structure and DNA Sequence Organization22
- Ch. 12 - The Genetic Code and Transcription36
- Ch. 13 - Translation and Proteins27
- Ch. 14 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Transposition34
- Ch. 15 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria22
- Ch. 16 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes37
- Ch. 17 - Recombinant DNA Technology27
- Ch. 18 - Genomics, Bioinformatics, and Proteomics30
- Ch. 19 - The Genetics of Cancer21
- Ch. 20 - Quantitative Genetics and Multifactorial Traits37
- Ch. 21 - Population and Evolutionary Genetics45
Chapter 14, Problem 10
Contrast and compare the mutagenic effects of deaminating agents, alkylating agents, and base analogs.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Define each type of mutagenic agent to understand their basic nature. Deaminating agents remove amino groups from bases, alkylating agents add alkyl groups to bases, and base analogs are structurally similar to normal bases but can be incorporated into DNA during replication.
Step 2: Explain the mechanism of mutagenesis for deaminating agents. They typically convert cytosine to uracil by removing an amino group, which can lead to a C:G to T:A transition mutation during DNA replication.
Step 3: Describe how alkylating agents cause mutations. They add alkyl groups (like methyl or ethyl) to bases, which can mispair during replication, often resulting in base substitutions or even DNA strand breaks.
Step 4: Discuss the role of base analogs. Because they resemble normal bases, they can be incorporated into DNA in place of the usual bases, but they often pair incorrectly, leading to point mutations during subsequent rounds of replication.
Step 5: Compare and contrast the effects by highlighting that deaminating agents cause specific base changes through chemical modification, alkylating agents cause a broader range of mutations by altering base pairing properties, and base analogs cause mutations by mimicking bases but pairing incorrectly, emphasizing their different mutagenic pathways.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Deaminating Agents
Deaminating agents cause mutations by removing amino groups from nucleotide bases, often converting cytosine to uracil or adenine to hypoxanthine. This alteration leads to incorrect base pairing during DNA replication, resulting in point mutations such as transitions.
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04:29
Induced Mutations
Alkylating Agents
Alkylating agents add alkyl groups to DNA bases, which can cause mispairing or strand breaks. These modifications often result in base substitutions or cross-linking, disrupting normal DNA replication and leading to mutations or cytotoxicity.
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04:29Induced Mutations
Base Analogs
Base analogs are structurally similar to normal bases but differ slightly, allowing them to be incorporated into DNA during replication. Their presence can cause mispairing or increased mutation rates because they pair incorrectly or undergo tautomeric shifts.
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03:49Base Distortions
Related Practice
Textbook Question
What is the difference between a silent mutation and a neutral mutation?
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Textbook Question
Describe a tautomeric shift and how it may lead to a mutation.
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Textbook Question
Why are frameshift mutations likely to be more detrimental than point mutations, in which a single pyrimidine or purine has been substituted?
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Textbook Question
Why are X rays more potent mutagens than UV radiation?
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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?
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