For a firefly to glow,the enzyme luciferase must catalyze 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, as it depends on the specific nature of the mutation and how it affects the structure and function of the luciferase enzyme. It is possible that the mutation could render the enzyme non-functional, or it could still allow the enzyme to function but with reduced efficiency. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the exact effect of the mutation without further experimentation and analysis. Choices A, C, and D are all incorrect because they are either unsupported or contradicted by the information given in the scenario.

For a Firefly to Glow,the Enzyme Luciferase Must Catalyze a Chemical