Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach (2nd Edition)
Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach (2nd Edition)
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9780321948908
Author: Mark F. Sanders, John L. Bowman
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 12, Problem 1P

Identify two general ways chemical mutagens can alter DNA. Give examples of these two mechanisms.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To review:

Analyze how chemical mutagens can alter DNA. Give examples of these two mechanisms of chemical mutation.

Introduction:

Mutation can be defined as a heritable change in the DNA sequence. This change in the DNA sequences either leads to evolutionary change in the DNA, or it changes the gene sequence which disturbs its desirable function and affects the fitness of the organism. Mutation occurs very rarely and randomly. The physical or chemical substance which causes the mutation in the DNA is called the mutagen. Examples of the physical mutagens are radioactive substances, X-rays, and ultraviolet rays, and those of chemical mutagens are Nitrous acid, Acridine, proflavin and Base analogues.

Explanation of Solution

Chemical mutagen is the compound which causes mutation in DNA as it alters the sequence of the DNA. Types of chemical mutation:

1) Base analogue mutation

2) Intercalating agents

3) Deamination

4) Alkylating agents

1) Base analogue mutation: A base analogue is the chemical compound that mimics nitrogen bases and gets incorporated in place of normal base in the DNA. As these compounds are not the true base pair, they possess some different characters of the pairing to the complementary base pair. This wrong incorporation of the nitrogen base in the DNA leads to mutation.

A known example of the base analogue is 5 bromouracil (5-BU) which is analogous to the thymine. 5-BU replaces the thymine and binds with the adenine. The incorporated 5-BU undergoes tautomeric change from keto form to enol form. Therefore, during replication, the normal pairing A=T is replaced by A= 5-BU.

2) Intercalating agents: A chemical that loads itself in between the stacked bases of the DNA is called the intercalating agent. This intercalation of chemicals in DNA results in either insertion or deletion of the bases; this results in frameshift mutation of the DNA.

The examples of intercalating agents are Acridine orange, proflavin, and acriflavin. These dyes have a three ringed structure which resembles with purine- pyrimidine base pairing. Purine has a double ring structure while the pyrimidine has a single ring structure; when they pair, they form a three ring structure. When the dyes intercalate into the DNA, it results in the deletion or insertion of the of the DNA replication, therefore frameshift mutation.

Conclusion

A chemical mutagen causes changes in the sequence of the DNA, it is called chemical mutation.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Describe the three general groups of chemical mutagens.
You are working with a newly discovered mutagen, and you wish to determine the base change that it introduces into DNA. Thus far, you have determined that the mutagen chemically alters a single base in such a way that its base-pairing properties are altered permanently. To determine the specificity of the alteration, you examine the amino acid changes that take place after mutagenesis. A sample of what you find is shown here:Original: Gln–His–Ile–Glu–LysMutant: Gln–His–Met–Glu–LysOriginal: Ala–Val–Asn–ArgMutant: Ala–Val–Ser–ArgOriginal: Arg–Ser–LeuMutant: Arg–Ser–Leu–Trp–Lys–Thr–Phe
"The molecule serving as the genetic material is expected to absorb at the wavelengths shown to be mutagenic." Explain this statement ?

Chapter 12 Solutions

Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach (2nd Edition)

Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781259398629
Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
Text book image
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780815344322
Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Text book image
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781260159363
Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Text book image
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9781260231700
Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:McGraw Hill Education
What is cancer? What causes cancer and how is it treated? *UPDATE*; Author: Cancer Treatment Centers of America - CTCA;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N1Sk3aiSCE;License: Standard Youtube License