Use the diagram of a normal gene and a mutated gene to answer the question.

Question

Normal DNA:
MAM
Histidine
HAY
Histidine
MHG
Leucine
ANH
Threonine
MAM
Histidine
Valine
Cancer-causing DNA:
Histidine
Histidine
Leucine
Threonine
Proline
Valine
In skin cells, single base pair mutations have been associated with the development of a type of skin cancer. Scientists first noticed this mutation in people who are frequently exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun or tanning beds. This mutation occurs in a gene that codes for a protein which regulates cell division.
AMA
Which two statements describe a causal relationship between this mutation and skin cancer rather than a correlational relationship? Move two statements that describe a causal relationship between the mutation and skin cancer to the box.
People who develop the mutation have a greater chance of developing this type of cancer.
The change of a single base pair codes for proline as the fifth amino acid instead of histidine.
The mutation changes the resulting protein so that it can no longer control when a cell divides.
This mutation is found at a higher rate among people who are exposed to ultraviolet radiation frequently.

Answer 1

To establish a causal relationship between the mutation and skin cancer, you should choose statements that directly link the mutation in the gene to the mechanism that leads to the development of cancer.

The two statements that describe a causal relationship are:

1. The change of a single base pair codes for proline as the fifth amino acid instead of histidine.
2. The mutation changes the resulting protein so that it can no longer control when a cell divides.

These statements indicate that the mutation directly alters the protein's structure and function, which is directly related to cell division, thus linking it causally to the development of cancer.