Learning Activity Sheet 6: MUTATIONS
Name _____________________________________________ Date_________ Score:_______
There are several types of mutations:
SUBSTITUTION (one base is substituted for another)
If a mutation changes the amino acid, it’s called a MISSENSE mutation.
If a mutation does not change the amino acid, it’s called a SILENT mutation.
If a mutation changes the amino acid to a “stop,” it’s called a NONSENSE mutation.
DELETION (a base is lost)
INSERTION (an extra base is inserted)
Deletion and insertion usually cause what’s called a FRAMESHIFT, meaning the reading “frame”
changes, changing the amino acid sequence.).
Use your the information above to complete the boxes below.
Original DNA Sequence: T A C A C C T T G G C G A C G A C T
mRNA Sequence: _________________________________________________
Amino Acid Sequence: _________________________________________________
Mutated DNA Sequence #1: T A C A T C T T G G C G A C G A C T (Encircle the mutation.)
mRNA Sequence: _________________________________________________
Amino Acid Sequence: _________________________________________________
What kind of mutation is this? Deletion, Insertion, or Substitution AND Frameshift, Missense, Silent or Nonsense
(circle one from each set)
Mutated DNA Sequence #2: T A C G A C C T T G G C G A C G A C T (Encircle the mutation.)
mRNA Sequence: _________________________________________________
Amino Acid Sequence: _________________________________________________
What kind of mutation is this? Deletion, Insertion, or Substitution AND Frameshift, Missense, Silent or Nonsense
(circle one from each set)
Mutated DNA Sequence #3: T A C A C C T T G C G A C G A C T (Encircle the mutation.)
mRNA Sequence: _________________________________________________
Amino Acid Sequence: _________________________________________________
What kind of mutation is this? Deletion, Insertion, or Substitution AND Frameshift, Missense, Silent or Nonsense
(circle one from each set)
Mutated DNA Sequence #4: T A C A C C T T G G C G A C A A C T (Encircle the mutation.)
mRNA Sequence: _________________________________________________
Amino Acid Sequence: _________________________________________________
What kind of mutation is this? Deletion, Insertion, or Substitution AND Frameshift, Missense, Silent or Nonsense
(circle one from each set)
Mutated DNA Sequence #5: T A C A C C T T C G C G A C G A C T (Encircle the mutation.)
mRNA Sequence: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid Sequence: _________________________________________________
What kind of mutation is this? Deletion, Insertion, or Substitution AND Frameshift, Missense, Silent or Nonsense
(circle one from each set)
GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. Which type of mutation stops the translation of the mRNA?
2. A scientist found that a particular mutation had no effect on the protein coded by a gene. What do you think
is the most likely type of mutation in this gene? Why?
3. Which type of mutation results in abnormal amino acid sequence?
4. What kind of mutation is more likely to result in a nonfunctional protein, Frameshift mutation or Point
mutation?
5. Which type of mutation is responsible for new variations of a trait?