Question
Passing on Mutations
Mutations occur when the DNA sequence of an organism changes. Mutations can be inherited or the result of environmental factors. Mutations can result in a structural or functional change for organisms. Mutations can affect how an organism looks and how body systems function. This is due to a change in the DNA that affects the organism's proteins, which in turn, affects an organism's traits.
The changes that occur from mutations can have a beneficial, harmful, or neutral effect on an organism.
Sometimes, the changes are beneficial. For example, a bacterium has a mutation that makes it resistant to antibiotics.
Sometimes, the changes are harmful. For example, an albino tree frog has difficulty blending into its environment.
Sometimes, the changes are neutral. For example, a mutation can cause rose petals to change color.
A mutation can cause a normal red blood cell to have a sickled shape. A model of the mutation is shown.
Constructed Response Question
A rock pocket mouse typically has light-colored fur that helps it blend in to its environment and avoid predators. In a desert location, a population of rock pocket mice experienced a mutation that resulted in a change in fur color. Originally, the fur color of the mice in the population was light, similar to the color of the surrounding desert. A lava flow occurred in the area, resulting in dark, rocky areas. A mutation to the Mc1r gene, the gene responsible for pigment production, caused some of the mice to be born with dark fur. Over each generation, a greater percentage of the mice in the population were born with dark fur. Today, most of the rock-pocket mice that live in dark, rocky areas have dark fur.
Identify if the Mc1r gene mutation is beneficial, harmful, or neutral. Provide an explanation.
make it 3 sentences
Mutations occur when the DNA sequence of an organism changes. Mutations can be inherited or the result of environmental factors. Mutations can result in a structural or functional change for organisms. Mutations can affect how an organism looks and how body systems function. This is due to a change in the DNA that affects the organism's proteins, which in turn, affects an organism's traits.
The changes that occur from mutations can have a beneficial, harmful, or neutral effect on an organism.
Sometimes, the changes are beneficial. For example, a bacterium has a mutation that makes it resistant to antibiotics.
Sometimes, the changes are harmful. For example, an albino tree frog has difficulty blending into its environment.
Sometimes, the changes are neutral. For example, a mutation can cause rose petals to change color.
A mutation can cause a normal red blood cell to have a sickled shape. A model of the mutation is shown.
Constructed Response Question
A rock pocket mouse typically has light-colored fur that helps it blend in to its environment and avoid predators. In a desert location, a population of rock pocket mice experienced a mutation that resulted in a change in fur color. Originally, the fur color of the mice in the population was light, similar to the color of the surrounding desert. A lava flow occurred in the area, resulting in dark, rocky areas. A mutation to the Mc1r gene, the gene responsible for pigment production, caused some of the mice to be born with dark fur. Over each generation, a greater percentage of the mice in the population were born with dark fur. Today, most of the rock-pocket mice that live in dark, rocky areas have dark fur.
Identify if the Mc1r gene mutation is beneficial, harmful, or neutral. Provide an explanation.
make it 3 sentences
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The Mc1r gene mutation in rock pocket mice that resulted in dark fur is beneficial because it enhances the mice's ability to blend into their rocky environment, helping them avoid predators. This camouflage increases their chances of survival and reproduction, leading to a greater percentage of dark-furred mice over generations. In this specific habitat, the mutation directly contributes to the fitness of the mice, making it a favorable trait.