Please read the following scenario to answer the following question(s).
While working with cultured mouse cells, a researcher unknowingly treated the cells with a mutagen that causes the deletion or insertion of individual nucleotides in DNA. Subsequently, she isolated and cultured a single cell from this group. She noticed that the progeny of this cell were not producing a certain protein and that this affected their survival.
-The mutation that resulted from her accident was probably ______.
A) an amino acid substitution
B) one that changed the triplet grouping of the genetic message
C) an error in translation
D) a loss in regulation of gene expression

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mutagen that the researcher treated the cells with causes the deletion or insertion of individual nucleotides in DNA, which could result in a frameshift mutation. Frameshift mutations change the triplet grouping of the genetic message, resulting in a non-functional protein. This is evident from the fact that the progeny of the mutated cell were not producing a certain protein, affecting their survival. A frameshift mutation is a type of insertion or deletion mutation. Option A (an amino acid substitution) and Option C (an error in translation) do not fit the scenario described. Option D (a loss in regulation of gene expression) could be a possibility, but there is no evidence in the scenario to support this choice, unlike the evidence for Option B.

Please Read the Following Scenario to Answer the Following Question(s)