Please answer questions 2 and 3 Mutations and Disease DNA is constantly subject
ID: 161526 • Letter: P
Question
Please answer questions 2 and 3 Mutations and Disease DNA is constantly subject to mutations, accidental changes in its code. Mutations can lead to missing or malformed proteins, and that can lead to disease. We all start out our lives with some mutations. These mutations inherited from your parents are called germ-line mutations. However, you can also acquire mutations during your lifetime. Some mutations happen during cell division, when DNA gets duplicated. Still other mutations are caused when DNA gets damaged by environmental factors, including UV radiation, chemicals, and viruses. Few mutations are bad for you. In fact, some mutations can be beneficial. Over time, genetic mutations create genetic diversity, which keeps populations healthy. Many mutations have no effect at all. These are called silent mutations. But the mutations we hear about most often are the ones that cause disease. Some well known inherited genetic disorders include cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disease, phenylketonuria and color- blindness, among many others. All of these disorders are caused by the mutation of a single gene Most inherited genetic diseases are recessive, which means that a person must inherit two copies of the mutated gene to inherit a disorder. This is one reason that marriage between close relatives is discouraged; two genetically similar adults are more likely to give a child two copies of a defective gene. Diseases caused by just one copy of a defective gene, such as Huntington's disease, are rare. Thanks to natural selection, these Sickled blood cells (left) and normal dominant genetic diseases tend to get weeded out of populations blood cells. over time, because afflicted carriers are more likely to die before reproducing Scientists estimate that every one of us has between 5 and 10 potentially deadly mutations in our genes- the good news is that because there's usually only one copy of the bad gene, these diseases don't manifest Cancer usually results from a series of mutations within a single cell Often, a faulty, damaged, or missing p53 gene is to blame. The p53 gene makes a protein that stops mutated cells from dividing. Without this protein, cells divide unchecked and become tumors.
Explanation / Answer
2. The cftr gene codes for a protein known as the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. This protein is important for the movement of chloride ions across the cells of the epithelial layers of the lungs and pancreas, maintaining the salt and water balance in the body.
There can be various mutations in the cystic fibrosis gene. When a mutated gene is transcribed into the corresponding mRNA, the protein translated from such mRNA might be defective, based on the extent of the mutation.
According to the given information, the mutation 1 is most likely to cause the cystic fibrosis. A deletion of 7 nucleotides will lead to a lack of at least 2 or more amino acids. Hence the resulting protein will be weak and might undergo a loss of function.
3. For adults, the blood sample can be taken to test for mutations in the cystic fibrosis gene. In case of prenatal testing, the fetal tissue (Chorionic villus tissue) can be tested for the possibility of developing cystic fibrosis disease.
Lung tissue or pancreatic tissue biopsy is invasive hence blood tissue sampling is considered safer.