Which one of the following statements is FALSE regarding the Ames test? liver enzymes are added to the assay so that it will mutate the DNA of the Salmonella bacteria O Agar plates that do not include histidine are used to examine whether the test substance has caused mutations O A control is necessary to determine the background level of mutation O The suspected mutagen (test substance) is omitted from the negative control sample O The test is done to determine whether a particular chemical can cause a reversion of the mutant strain to the wild type phenotype

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### Ames Test Knowledge Assessment

#### Question:
Which one of the following statements is FALSE regarding the Ames test?

#### Options:
1. O liver enzymes are added to the assay so that it will mutate the DNA of the Salmonella bacteria
2. O Agar plates that do not include histidine are used to examine whether the test substance has caused mutations
3. O A control is necessary to determine the background level of mutation
4. O The suspected mutagen (test substance) is omitted from the negative control sample
5. O The test is done to determine whether a particular chemical can cause a reversion of the mutant strain to the wild type phenotype

---

**Explanation:**

The Ames test is a widely used assay to determine the mutagenic potential of chemical compounds. It uses bacteria, usually a strain of Salmonella, that carries a mutation preventing it from synthesizing the amino acid histidine. Here is a breakdown of the statements provided:

1. **Liver Enzymes (FALSE Statement)**:
   - **Explanation**: Liver enzymes are indeed added to the assay, but their purpose is to simulate the metabolic processes that occur in a liver, which can convert non-mutagenic substances into mutagens. They do not directly mutate the DNA of Salmonella bacteria.

2. **Agar Plates without Histidine**:
   - **Explanation**: Agar plates lacking histidine are used in the Ames test. If the substance being tested causes mutations, some bacteria may regain the ability to produce histidine and grow on these plates.

3. **Necessity of a Control**:
   - **Explanation**: A control is required to determine the natural or background rate of mutation, which helps to identify whether the chemical significantly increases mutation rates.

4. **Omission of Test Substance in Negative Control**:
   - **Explanation**: In negative controls, the suspected mutagen is indeed omitted. This control ensures that any observed mutations are due to the test substance and not other factors.

5. **Testing for Reversion to Wild Type Phenotype**:
   - **Explanation**: The main objective of the Ames test is to see if a chemical can cause a reversion from a mutant state to the wild type, allowing the bacteria to grow in the absence of histidine.

By understanding these options, students can better grasp the methodology and purpose of the Ames test in mutagenicity research.
Transcribed Image Text:### Ames Test Knowledge Assessment #### Question: Which one of the following statements is FALSE regarding the Ames test? #### Options: 1. O liver enzymes are added to the assay so that it will mutate the DNA of the Salmonella bacteria 2. O Agar plates that do not include histidine are used to examine whether the test substance has caused mutations 3. O A control is necessary to determine the background level of mutation 4. O The suspected mutagen (test substance) is omitted from the negative control sample 5. O The test is done to determine whether a particular chemical can cause a reversion of the mutant strain to the wild type phenotype --- **Explanation:** The Ames test is a widely used assay to determine the mutagenic potential of chemical compounds. It uses bacteria, usually a strain of Salmonella, that carries a mutation preventing it from synthesizing the amino acid histidine. Here is a breakdown of the statements provided: 1. **Liver Enzymes (FALSE Statement)**: - **Explanation**: Liver enzymes are indeed added to the assay, but their purpose is to simulate the metabolic processes that occur in a liver, which can convert non-mutagenic substances into mutagens. They do not directly mutate the DNA of Salmonella bacteria. 2. **Agar Plates without Histidine**: - **Explanation**: Agar plates lacking histidine are used in the Ames test. If the substance being tested causes mutations, some bacteria may regain the ability to produce histidine and grow on these plates. 3. **Necessity of a Control**: - **Explanation**: A control is required to determine the natural or background rate of mutation, which helps to identify whether the chemical significantly increases mutation rates. 4. **Omission of Test Substance in Negative Control**: - **Explanation**: In negative controls, the suspected mutagen is indeed omitted. This control ensures that any observed mutations are due to the test substance and not other factors. 5. **Testing for Reversion to Wild Type Phenotype**: - **Explanation**: The main objective of the Ames test is to see if a chemical can cause a reversion from a mutant state to the wild type, allowing the bacteria to grow in the absence of histidine. By understanding these options, students can better grasp the methodology and purpose of the Ames test in mutagenicity research.
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