For a firefly to glow, the enzyme luciferase must assist a chemical reaction in the cells of the firefly. A scientist uses a chemical to induce a mutation in the luciferase gene in a strain of fireflies. Which of the following is true?
A)Even if the mutation changes the structure of the luciferase protein, it will still be able to perform the chemical reactions needed to make the firefly glow.
B)The ability of the firefly to glow may or may not be affected by the mutation.
C)The mutation will affect the structure of the mRNA made from the gene, but not the structure of the protein made from the gene.
D)Any mutation in a gene causes that gene to stop making functional proteins.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mutation may or may not affect the ability of the firefly to glow. The luciferase enzyme is necessary for the chemical reaction that produces light in fireflies, and a mutation in the gene that codes for it may alter the structure and function of the protein. Whether the mutation affects the function of the protein and the ability of the firefly to glow depends on the specific nature and location of the mutation, as well as the degree to which it disrupts the enzyme's catalytic activity. It is not accurate to assume that any mutation in a gene causes the gene to stop making functional proteins or that a structural change in the protein will not impact its function. It is also possible that the mutation affects the structure of both the mRNA and the protein.

For a Firefly to Glow, the Enzyme Luciferase Must Assist