DNA Mutations Practice Worksheet

DIRECTIONS: Transcribe and translate the original DNA sequence. Then, do the same for each
mutated DNA sequence. Then, determine the consequence, if any, for each mutation, by
circling your choice for each question. You will need a Codon Chart.

Original DNA
sequence: TAC ACC TTG GCG ACG ACT
mRNA transcript:
amino acids:

Mutated DNA
sequence #1: TAC ATC TTG GCG ACG ACT
mRNA transcript:
(Circle any changes)
amino acids:
Type of
Point Frameshift
mutation Substitution Insertion or Deletion
ð ð
(Circle one.)
How did the
mutation affect
1 amino 1 amino acid All the amino acids
the amino acid Premature No stop
No change acid added/ changed after the
sequence stop signal signal
changed deleted point of mutation
(protein)?
(Circle one.)
Describe the mutation.
Silent Missense Non-sense
(Circle one)

Mutated DNA
sequence #2: TAC GAC CTT GGC GAC GAC T
mRNA transcript:
(Circle any changes)
amino acids:
Type of
Point Frameshift
mutation Substitution Insertion or Deletion
ð ð
(Circle one.)
How did the
mutation affect
1 amino 1 amino acid All the amino acids
the amino acid Premature No stop
No change acid added/ changed after the
sequence stop signal signal
changed deleted point of mutation
(protein)?
(Circle one.)
Describe the mutation.
Silent Missense Non-sense
(Circle one)
 Mutated DNA
sequence #3: TAC ACC TTA GCG ACG ACT
mRNA transcript:
(Circle any changes)
amino acids:
Type of
Point Frameshift
mutation Substitution Insertion or Deletion
ð ð
(Circle one.)
How did the
mutation affect
1 amino 1 amino acid All the amino acids
the amino acid Premature No stop
No change acid added/ changed after the
sequence stop signal signal
changed deleted point of mutation
(protein)?
(Circle one.)
Describe the mutation.
Silent Missense Non-sense
(Circle one)
Mutated DNA
sequence #4: TAC ACC TTG GCG ACT ACT
mRNA transcript:
(Circle any changes)
amino acids:
Type of
Point Frameshift
mutation Substitution Insertion or Deletion
ð ð
(Circle one.)
How did the
mutation affect
1 amino 1 amino acid All the amino acids
the amino acid Premature No stop
No change acid added/ changed after the
sequence stop signal signal
changed deleted point of mutation
(protein)?
(Circle one.)
Describe the mutation.
Silent Missense Non-sense
(Circle one)
Mutated DNA
sequence #5: TAC ACC TTG GGA CGA CT
mRNA transcript:
(Circle any changes)
amino acids:
Type of
Point Frameshift
mutation Substitution Insertion or Deletion
ð ð
(Circle one.)
How did the
mutation affect
1 amino 1 amino acid All the amino acids
the amino acid Premature No stop
No change acid added/ changed after the
sequence stop signal signal
changed deleted point of mutation
(protein)?
(Circle one.)
Describe the mutation.
Silent Missense Non-sense
(Circle one)
CONCLUSIONS
1. Which type of mutation is responsible for new variations (alleles) of a trait? Reminder – an allele is a slightly
different version of the same gene

2. Which type of mutation results in abnormal amino acid sequence?

3. Which type of mutation stops the translation of the mRNA?

2. A geneticist found that a particular mutation had no effect on the protein coded by a gene. What do you
think is the most likely type of mutation in this gene? Why?

4. Examine your genetic code chart. Name one amino acid that has more than one codon. Name an amino acid
that has only one codon.

5. Look at the following sequence: THE FAT CAT ATE THE RAT. Delete the first H and regroup the letters in
groups of three- write out the new groups of three. Does the sentence still make sense? What type of
mutation is this an example of?

6. Given the following three mRNA sequences, determine which two code for the same protein. Circle them.
mRNA #1 mRNA #2 mRNA #3

Transcript AGU UUA GCA ACG AGA UCA UCG CUA GCG ACC AGU UCA AGC CUC GCC ACU CGU AGU

Translate

What type of mutation exists between the 2 variations?

BONUS: You have a DNA sequence that codes for a protein and is 105 nucleotides long. A frameshift mutation
occurs at the 85th base - how many amino acids will be correct in this protein? SHOW YOUR WORK.