Hannah Ness - Mutations Webquest - 3071914

Name: _________hannah Ness_______________________
Period:____6__________________
Genetic Mutations Web Quest

Genetic Mutations:
Use the following link to answer the question below: Click Here
1. What is a genetic disorder?

A genetic disorder is a disease caused by some form of change is a person's DNA
sequence.
Use the following link to answer the question 2 and 3 below, only read the first two sections of the article,
“What is a mutation?” and “Are Mutations Random?”: Click Here
2. What is a genetic mutation and how do they happen?
Mutations are changes caused in a genetic sequence. Most genetic mutations occur
because of diversity between organisms.
3. Are mutations random?

Yes and no, if the mutation is heritable then it will stay within that line, however, if it is
not heritable then the people affected by the mutation will be random.
Effects of Mutations:
Watch the following video then go back and stop the clip as needed in order to answer the
questions below: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/mutation/
4. What is the most common type of mutation?

The most common type of mutation is when a signal base is substituted for another.
5. Approximately how many new changes (variations) do each of us have that were not
present in our parents?
About 60 new variations.
6. What happens when mutations occur in parts of the genome that code for proteins?
There are often consequences. Changes can affect the protein product and change
where or how much of the proteins are being made.
Mutations and Adaptations:

Read the following article and complete the questions below: Monstrous Mutations
7. How can mutations affect the survival of an organism?
Depending on the organism and the environment they live in, certain mutations can give
them an advantage or disadvantage causing that species to either take over the local
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environment or be wiped out of the local environment.
8. What is an adaptation?
characteristics caused by mutations that are retained and passed on to future

offspring
9. Give an example of each of the three types of adaptations from the article:
Structural: Quills on a porcupine
Behavioral: An owl ruffling its feathers
Physiological: Flow of warm blood through an organism in cold months.
10. Spines on a cactus is an example of what kind of adaptation?

Structural adaptation
11. A bird’s instinct to fly south when winter weather approaches is an example of what
type of adaptation?
Physiological adaptation
12. The growth of a heavy coat of hair by an organism in response to cold temperatures
is an example of what type of adaptation?
Physiological adaptation
13. List five examples of adaptations (traits that help an organism survive) not
mentioned in the reading:
A. A chameleons camouflage
B. A monarch butterflies poisonous wings
C. A mary grays double jointed wrists.
D. A rams horns
E. An owls double jointed neck.
How Do Cells Read Genes?

Visit the following website: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/dnacodes/
14. Explain how the DNA sequence of a gene is similar to a sentence.

A DNA sequence in a gene helps determine the amino acid sequence for the protein with
in it. This process is similar to sentences. The words make up the sentence and the
letters make up the words.
15. What is a codon?
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Different groups of nucleotide bases that interpret DNA sequences.
16. Each codon specifies a single __________ which are the building blocks of proteins.
Amino acid.
Scroll down to the bottom section with the heading ‘Mutation’.
17. What is a point mutation?

Point mutations are when only one of the bases in a DNA sequence mutates.
18. What are insertion & deletion mutations?

Insertion mutation: Adds a base to a DNA sequence.
Deletion mutation: Deletes a base from a DNA sequence.
Proteins
Visit the following website:
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/proteintypes/
19. Use the website to fill out the following table:

Type of Definition Example
Protein
Enzymes Build and break down molecules they are Luciferase makes
important for processes in the cell wall as well fireflies glow. It
as growth and digestion controls a chemical
reaction that gives off
light.
Structural Strengthen cells, tissues and organs. Tubulin forms hollow

tubes, called
microtubules, that
support the structure
of the cell.
Signaling Allows cells to communicate with each other Insulin is released into
the bloodstream after a
meal. It activates the
insulin receptor, which
signals muscle and fat
cells to store blood
sugar.
Regulatory Binds DNA so as to turn genes on and off. the p53 protein
prevents a cell from
dividing when its DNA is
damaged. It prompts
the cell to repair the
damage or
self-destruct.
Transport Move molecules and neutrons around the body Cytochrome c proteins
3
and in and out of cells. in mitochondria move
electrons from one
protein complex to
another, generating
energy to power the
cell.
Sensory Help to identify and understand our Olfactory receptors in

surroundings using our 5 senses. the nose sense airborne
chemicals. A sense of
smell helps animals
locate food, predators,
or a mate. Hundreds of
receptors work in
combination to detect a
nearly infinite variety of
smells
Motor Helps to contract muscle cells and proteins for Dynein and kinesin carry
vesicles and other cargo
when we move.
around the cell. They walk
along tiny microtubule
"highways."
Defense
Storage
Genetic Variation (Variety!):

Visit the following website:
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/outcomes/
22. Choose any three of the Variation Examples provided and complete the table using the
tabs provided:
Trait Protein that is Is it Variation, a IN YOUR OWN WORDS

Affected Disease or Both? Explain how it is or is not
beneficial for the organism
4
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Name: _________hannah Ness_______________________

Genetic Mutations Web Quest

1. What is a genetic disorder?

3. Are mutations random?

4. What is the most common type of mutation?

Mutations and Adaptations:

7. How can mutations affect the survival of an organism?

characteristics caused by mutations that are retained and passed on to future

Behavioral: An owl ruffling its feathers

Physiological: Flow of warm blood through an organism in cold months.

10. Spines on a cactus is an example of what kind of adaptation?

B. A monarch butterflies poisonous wings

C. A mary grays double jointed wrists.

E. An owls double jointed neck.

How Do Cells Read Genes?

14. Explain how the DNA sequence of a gene is similar to a sentence.

15. What is a codon?

Scroll down to the bottom section with the heading ‘Mutation’.

17. What is a point mutation?

18. What are insertion & deletion mutations?

Deletion mutation: Deletes a base from a DNA sequence.

19. Use the website to fill out the following table:

Structural Strengthen cells, tissues and organs. Tubulin forms hollow

Sensory Help to identify and understand our Olfactory receptors in

Genetic Variation (Variety!):

Trait Protein that is Is it Variation, a IN YOUR OWN WORDS

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Name: _hannah Ness_______________