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How might a biologist determine whether a mutation has occurred?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
The comparison between the DNA sequence of normal DNA to the mutated DNA will be made. The type of mutation will be revealed during the base sequence.
Chanel Huels
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoA mutation is a change in the genome of an organism. It means that the DNA code (consisting of 4 letters- G,C,A,T) has been altered. For instance, if your genetic code is supposed to read ATTATT, and it changed to ATTATC, this would be a mutation. Mutations occur all the time in our cells. In fact, from a single sunburn, you will get on average 100,000 Thymine dimer mutations PER CELL! Now think how many cells are in your skin! No wonder they say UV rays give you cancer!
Anyway, mutations can be seen in a few different ways. All mutations cause a change in Genotype, meaning the genome has been changed. Many times, these mutations are silent, or cause no change in function. The piece that has mutated may not encode for any protein, so the cell is not effected. Or, maybe they do encode for a protein, but the new code doesnt change the protein's functionality.
Where we start to see problems is when a protein-encoding gene is mutated to an inactive form. This means that some protein that the organism needs to survive is not working, and we will see the change at a larger scale.
So, how do biologists tell if a mutation has occured? Lots of ways. What organisms are we talking about? Fungi? Bacteria? Plants? Humans? One obvious thing to look for is a change in phenotype, or expressed genes of an organism. If a person has a tumor, its a result of a mutation. However, all of us have some mutations that occured when we were only eggs, first fertilized.
The only SURE way for a biologist to look for a mutation is to do a DNA gel electrophoresis. This shows the genetic code, letter for letter. This can be compared to a known "normal" DNA sequence for that organism, and if you see a change in a letter, or multiple letters, you will know that your organism's DNA has mutated.
integrity of the inner lining of the digestive tract
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoModern molecular genetic testing uses a strategy where the suspected DNA is amplified in a PCR reaction and then mixed with known normal DNA. The mix is heated until all the duplex DNA falls apart and then is allowed to reanneal. The population of duplex DNA now will be a mix of normal-normal DNA, normal-mutated DNA and mutated-mutated DNA. The normal-mutated DNA has a bulge in it where the bases do not match up and migrates through a gel capillary tube slower than the normal-normal and mutated-mutated strands and comes out of the tube later than the others.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThe comparison between the DNA sequence of normal DNA to the mutated DNA will be made. The type of mutation will be revealed during the base sequence.
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoA biologist might determine whether a mutation has occurred by looking at the physical aspects of the organism. They might also look at the chromosomes of the organism.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoa biologist would be able to identify if it is a mutation or not because the genetic cells in your body would have strands formed
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How does a biologist determine whether a thing is living or nonliving?
Biologists determine whether a thing is living or nonliving by a list of characteristics. These characteristics include the ability to reproduce, the ability to eat, the ability to grow and the ability to excrete waste.
How do geneticists use pedigrees?
Pedigrees are used to determine a family's history of a disease, which can be due to mutation. It is used to tell whether or not a disease in gene is recessive or dominant, sex-based or autosomal.
What can predict whether a mutation in a human skin cell can be passed to its offspring?
A mutation in a human skin cannot be passed on to an offspring, since it is only a somatic mutation which is acquired. The mutation that can be passed on to an offspring is called a germline mutation, which happens in the egg and sperm.
Whether a mutation is harmful or helpful depends partly on an organism's?
the organism's environment
Picture of foreign biologist?
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How might biologist determine whether a mutation has occurred and if so what type of mutation is it?
The comparison between the DNA sequence of normal DNA to the mutated DNA will be made. The type of mutation will be revealed during the base sequence.
If iodine were not available how would you determine whether starch hydrolysis had occurred?
If iodine is not available, determine whether starch hydrolysis has occurred using a refractometer or plot the yeast that forms.
What type of picture would a biologist look at to determine whether a fetus has Down syndrome?
a Karyotype
A genetic mutation naturally occurred in a cactus plant in the desert What will determine whether the genetic mutation will last among generations?
if the new cactus can survive and reproduce (natural selection)
When investigators attempt to determine whether or not an erroneous payment occurred they look for evidence of?
Error
How does a biologist determine whether a thing is living or nonliving?
Biologists determine whether a thing is living or nonliving by a list of characteristics. These characteristics include the ability to reproduce, the ability to eat, the ability to grow and the ability to excrete waste.
What factor determines whether the frequency of the new allele will increase?
Which factor might determine whether the frequency of the new allele will increase in a population where a mutation occurs?
Is mutation to species harmful?
it can be, it depends on whether the mutation is useful
How do geneticists use pedigrees?
Pedigrees are used to determine a family's history of a disease, which can be due to mutation. It is used to tell whether or not a disease in gene is recessive or dominant, sex-based or autosomal.
What can predict whether a mutation in a human skin cell can be passed to its offspring?
A mutation in a human skin cannot be passed on to an offspring, since it is only a somatic mutation which is acquired. The mutation that can be passed on to an offspring is called a germline mutation, which happens in the egg and sperm.
A mutation is helpful depending on whether it makes the living thing?
better adapted
Whether a mutation is harmful or helpful depends partly on an organism's?
the organism's environment
