AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Instead of causing a change in one amino acid, however, the altered DNA sequence results in a stop signal that prematurely signals the cell to stop building a protein. This type of variant results in a shortened protein that may function improperly, be nonfunctional, or get broken down.

Detailed explanation-2: -Harmful mutations may cause genetic disorders or cancer. A genetic disorder is a disease caused by a mutation in one or a few genes. A human example is cystic fibrosis. A mutation in a single gene causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and blocks ducts in digestive organs.

Detailed explanation-3: -Sometimes, gene variants (also known as mutations) prevent one or more proteins from working properly. By changing a gene’s instructions for making a protein, a variant can cause a protein to malfunction or to not be produced at all.

Detailed explanation-4: -There are three possible outcomes from a mutation event: (i) the mutant spreads through the population and replaces the residents, (ii) the mutants coexist with the residents, or (iii) the mutants go extinct.

Detailed explanation-5: -Genetic mutations that cause hereditary diseases usually affect the composition of the transcribed mRNA and its encoded protein, leading to instability of the mRNA and/or the protein. Sometimes, however, such mutations affect the synthesis, the processing or the translation of the mRNA, with similar disastrous effects.