Next-generation sequencing reveals that six new mutations have occurred in the coding regions of genes in an individual diploid fly.If the coding regions of this fly comprise 100 million nucleotides per haploid genome, what is the mutation rate per nucleotide?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The diploid fly has a total of 200 million nucleotides in its genome. Six new mutations have occurred in the coding regions of its genes. Therefore, the mutation rate per nucleotide can be calculated as:

Mutation rate per nucleotide = (Number of mutations / Size of coding regions) x 2 (for diploid organism)

= (6 / 200 million nucleotides) x 2

= 6 x 10^-8 or 30 per billion nucleotides

Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals That Six New Mutations Have Occurred in the Coding