Mutation Activity
Names:__________________________
In the DNA sequence you will be asked to make several different changes to the original DNA strand (these changes are known as mutations). Using mRNA and the codon chart you will determine what effect each mutation had on the protein.
Arrange the DNA cards (yellow) in groups of three on the desk according to the sequence below. Match the DNA cards to their complementary mRNA (green) cards.
Finally match the mRNA to the correct amino acid (blue) card using the codon wheel.
Original DNA Sequence : TAC ACC TTG GCG ACT mRNA Sequence: _____
Amino Acid Sequence: _____
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Mutation A
Replace card 5 (the second “C”) in the DNA sequence with a “T.” Record the new mRNA and amino acid sequence mRNA Sequence: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Amino Acid Sequence: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
1.
Classify this type of mutation. Explain your answer and provide evidence for support.
2.
What effect will this mutation have on the protein if any by using the chart above?
Explain your answer and provide evidence for support.

Mutation Activity
Names:__________________________
Mutation B
Return to the original DNA sequence
. Insert a “G” after card 3. Move every card down one spot to the right to make room for the extra nucleotide. mRNA Sequence: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Amino Acid Sequence: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
3.
Classify this type of mutation. Explain your answer and provide evidence for support.
4.
What effect will this mutation have on the protein? Explain your answer and provide evidence for support.
5.
Explain why inserting 3 “G” nucleotides would most likely be a less harmful mutation when compared to inserting a single “G” nucleotide.
Mutation C
Return the cards to the original DNA sequence.
Replace card number 12 (the G) with a C. mRNA Sequence: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Amino Acid Sequence: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
6.
Classify this type of mutation. Explain your answer and provide evidence for support.
7.
What effect will this mutation have on the protein? Explain your answer and provide evidence for support.
8.
Explain why a change in DNA does not necessarily mean a change in the protein.

Mutation Activity
Names:__________________________
Mutation D
Return the cards to the original DNA sequence.
Replace card number 15 (the T) with a G. mRNA Sequence: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Amino Acid Sequence: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
9.
Classify this type of mutation. Explain your answer and provide evidence for support.
10.
What effect will this mutation have on the protein? Explain your answer and provide evidence for support.
11.
How will the size of the protein be affected? Explain your answer.
Mutation E
Return the cards to the original DNA sequence.
Remove card number 7 (the T) and slide each card that comes after the 7 down one spot to the left to fill in the codons. mRNA Sequence: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Amino Acid Sequence: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
12.
Classify this type of mutation. Explain your answer and provide evidence for support.
13.
What effect will this mutation have on the protein? Explain your answer and provide evidence for support.
14.
Explain why an insertion or deletion mutations are often more detrimental to a protein than a substitution mutation.