MUTATIONS TAKS QUESTIONS
SPRING 2003 – 10:
(22) The diagram represents the chromosomes of a person with a genetic disorder caused
by nondisjunction, in which the chromosomes fail to separate properly. Which
chromosome set displays nondisjunction?
F2
G8
H* 21
J 23
SPRING 2003 – 10:
(26) The chain above represents three codons. Which of the following changes would be
expected in the amino acid chain if the mutation shown above occurred?
F The amino acid sequence would be shorter than expected.
G* The identity of one amino acid would change.
H The amino acid sequence would remain unchanged.
J The identities of more than one amino acid would change.
APRIL 2004 – 10:
(26) Ultraviolet radiation can cause mutations in the DNA of skin cells that have been
overexposed to the sun. This mutated DNA has no effect on future offspring because —
F changes in skin cell DNA are homozygous recessive
G mutations must occur within the RNA codons
H offspring reject parental skin cells
J* only changes to gamete DNA can be inherited
APRIL 2004 – 11:
(22) Mutations in DNA molecules can occur when —
F replication of DNA is exact
G a DNA enzyme attaches to an RNA codon
H RNA codons are replaced by DNA nucleotides
J* a change occurs in DNA nucleotide bases
JULY 2004 – 11:
27 The assembly of a messenger RNA strand that normally begins with UAC has been
changed so that the newly assembled messenger RNA strand begins with UAG. Which of
the following will most likely occur?
A The protein will be missing the first amino acid.
B The amino acids that make up the protein will all be different.
C The mRNA will become attached to a ribosome.
D* The production of the protein will be stopped.
OCTOBER 2005 – 11:
15 Which of the following is best supported by the information above?
A Mutations located on chromosome 17 will result in cancer.
B Cancerous growth will cause a mutation in some BRCA1 alleles.
C* Mutated BRCA1 alleles are only one factor involved in cancer.
D Women with a mutant allele of BRCA1will develop cancer.
OCTOBER 2005 – 11:
27 A change within a single base pair in DNA is least likely to be observable if the
change affects —
A the production of a stop codon
B* an unexpressed recessive trait
C actions of a codominant allele
D the expression of a sex-linked trait
FALL 2005 – 11:
48 A change within a single base pair in DNA is least likely to be observable
if the change affects —
F the production of a stop codon
G* an unexpressed recessive trait
H actions of a codominant allele
J the expression of a sex-linked trait
FEBRUARY 2006 – 11:
5 The diagram above shows chromosomes in a cell undergoing cell division. If one of the
chromosomes breaks during this process, which of the following will most likely happen?
A* Mutation
B Selection
C Duplication
D Segregation
FEBRUARY 2006 – 11:
48 Which of the following is a change that could be passed on to an organism’s
offspring?
F* Damage to the DNA of gamete cells
G Damage to skin cells from exposure to sunlight
H Damage to DNA in the cytoplasm of cheek cells
J Damage to hair pigment cells with permanent dyes
APRIL 2006 – 10:
20 The diagram shows three generations of cells produced by a single cell through
mitosis. In the process, a single mutation occurred at the point indicated. The mutation
caused changes within a dominant allele. How many of the 15 cells contain the mutation?
Record and bubble in your answer on the answer document. Answer: 7
APRIL 2006 – 10:
39 This illustration is an example of a normal DNA sequence. Which of the following
represents a single base change in the sequence? Answer D
APRIL 2006 – 11:
7 Which of these best explains how mutation can be beneficial to an organism?
A* Phenotypic change may create an advantage over other organisms.
B Recombined genetic material improves genotype stability.
C Mitosis becomes a favored means of reproduction.
D Deoxyribose sugars develop into additional nucleotides.
APRIL 2006 – 11:
31 Sickle-cell anemia is a disorder resulting from a mutation that leads to the production
of an abnormal protein. Which component of the DNA molecule provides instructions for
the production of the protein?
A The phosphate groups
B The sugar molecules
C* The sequence of nitrogen bases
D The bonds that hold the sugars to the bases
JULY 2006 – 11:
10 If one nucleotide is omitted or accidentally repeated in the process of DNA
duplication, which of the following is most likely to occur?
F Gene deletion
G* Gene mutation
H Gene insertion
J Gene segregation
JULY 2006 – 11:
32 A deletion of a DNA base from a gene affects an organism by —
F causing future gametes to have additional chromosomes
G* changing the sequence of amino acids in a protein
H causing chromosome fragments to form long chains
J changing the structure of ribose sugar in nucleic acids
JULY 2006 – 11:
52 Which of the following is a change that could be passed on to an
organism’s offspring?
F* Damage to the DNA of gamete cells
G Damage to skin cells from exposure to sunlight
H Damage to DNA in the cytoplasm of cheek cells
J Damage to hair pigment cells with permanent dyes