Timed Free Response Essay Mutations
1. Certain human genetic conditions, such as sickle cell anemia, result from single base-pair mutations
in DNA.
(a) Explain how a single base-pair mutant in DNA can alter the structure and, in some cases, the
function of a protein.
(b) Explain, using a specific example, the potential consequences of the production of a mutant
protein to the structure and function of the cells of an organism.
(c) Describe how the frequency of an allele coding for a mutant protein may increase in a population
over time.
Total /7=____
General Rubric
Criteria A
Supporting
Details A (1pt)
Explain how a
a.) Explanation
single base-pair
of what single
mutant in DNA
base-pair
can alter the
mutations are
structure and, in
Supporting
Details A (1pt)
b.)Explanation
of how a single
base-pair
mutation can
affect the
structure of a
protein.
Supporting
Details A (1pt)
c.) Describe an
example of a
base-pair
mutation.
Supporting
Details B (1pt)
d.) Provide a
specific
example of
consequences
of the
production of
a mutant
protein
Supporting
Details B (1pt)
e.) Explain
why or how a
mutation can
affect the
function of the
cells of an
organism
Total=2
Supporting
Details B (1pt)
f) Provide an
explanation of
how the
frequency of an
allele coding
for a mutant
Supporting
Details B (1pt)
g) Explain a
hypothetical
or real
example of
mutant
Total=2
some cases, the
function of a
protein
Criteria B
(2pts)
Explain, using a
specific example,
the potential
consequences of
the production of
a mutant protein
to the structure
and function of
the cells of an
organism.
Criteria C
(2pts)
(c) Describe how
the frequency of
an allele coding
for a mutant
protein may
increase in a
Total=3
population over
time.
protein may
increase in a
population over
time.
protein
increasing in a
population
over time.