Mutations (College Board AP® Biology)

Exam Questions

28 mins9 questions
1
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During the replication of DNA spontaneous errors may occur, causing mutations. Which of the following mutations is most likely to be classified as a frameshift mutation?

  • Substitution of one base.

  • Insertion of a nucleotide.

  • Change in chromosome number.

  • Inversion of a gene section.

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2
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Cystic fibrosis is a disease caused by a mutation. The pedigree diagram in Figure 1 provides information about the inheritance of the cystic fibrosis mutation over three generations within one family.

Pedigree chart showing genetic transmission of cystic fibrosis in a family. Two females (4, 8) with cystic fibrosis, represented by filled circles.
Figure 1. Genetic pedigree diagram showing inheritance of cystic fibrosis.

Which of the following conclusions is supported by Figure 1?

  • Cystic fibrosis is caused by a dominant allele that affects males and females equally.

  • Cystic fibrosis is a recessive mutation that is located on the X chromosome.

  • Cystic fibrosis is a recessive mutation which is not located on a sex chromosome.

  • Cystic fibrosis is a chromosome mutation that alters the chromosome number.

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3
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A polypeptide has the amino acid sequence: 

histidine – glutamine – lysine – alanine – valine – histidine – valine

The table below gives the tRNA anticodons for each amino acid.

amino acid

tRNA anticodons

histidine

valine 

lysine 

alanine 

glutamine

CAU

GUA

AAA

GCU

CAG

A mutation causes the 18th base in the DNA sequence to be deleted. Which of the following shows the amino acid sequence after this mutation has occurred?

  • histidine – glutamine – lysine – alanine – valine – histidine

  • histidine – glutamine – lysine – alanine – valine – glutamine-valine

  • histidine – glutamine – lysine – alanine – valine – glutamine

  • histidine – glutamine – lysine – alanine – valine – histidine – valine

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4
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A bacterial population exposed to ionizing radiation may experience a higher rate of mutations. Which of the following mechanisms is most likely to cause this increase in mutation rates?

  • Decreased gene expression.

  • Alteration in cell membrane structure.

  • Increased protein synthesis.

  • Damage to DNA strands.

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5
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A duplication mutation is a type of genetic mutation where a section of DNA containing a gene is copied. The evolution of the hemoglobin gene family is an example of gene duplication leading to the introduction of new alleles and new biological function. Which of the following is the most likely prediction of the effects of a duplication mutation in a gene encoding a critical protein, such as hemoglobin?

  • It is always harmful and leads to the loss of protein function.

  • It will result in the production of larger proteins than the original protein.

  • It can create an opportunity for evolutionary change by allowing one gene copy to evolve a new function.

  • It introduces a premature stop codon, resulting in incomplete protein synthesis.

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