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Chapter 14: Problem 53

Discuss the significance of mutations in tRNA and rRNA. a. Mutations in tRNA and rRNA would lead to the production of defective proteins or no protein production. b. Mutations in tRNA and rRNA would lead to changes in the semi-conservative mode of replication of DNA. c. Mutations in tRNA and rRNA would lead to production of a DNA strand with a mutated single strand and normal other strand. d. Mutations in tRNA and rRNA would lead to skin cancer in patients of xeroderma pigmentosa

Short Answer

Expert verified
a. Mutations in tRNA and rRNA would lead to defective proteins or no protein production.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Mutations and Their Impacts

The first thing is to understand what mutations are. Mutations are changes in the nucleotide sequence of DNA or RNA. These changes can affect how cells function because they may alter the way proteins are made.
02

Focus on tRNA and rRNA

tRNA (transfer RNA) and rRNA (ribosomal RNA) are crucial for protein synthesis. tRNA carries amino acids to the ribosome, while rRNA is a key component of ribosomes where protein synthesis occurs. Therefore, mutations in tRNA or rRNA can significantly disrupt protein production.
03

Analyze Each Option

Now, evaluate the given options: Option (a) states that mutations in tRNA and rRNA would lead to defective proteins or no protein production. This is plausible because both tRNA and rRNA are directly involved in protein synthesis. Option (b) suggests that mutations would alter the semi-conservative replication of DNA. Since tRNA and rRNA are not directly involved in DNA replication, this is unlikely. Option (c) claims that mutations would produce a DNA strand with a mutated single strand and a normal other strand, which again isn't related to the function of tRNA and rRNA. Option (d) proposes that mutations would lead to skin cancer in patients with xeroderma pigmentosa. This condition is more related to DNA repair mechanisms, unrelated to tRNA and rRNA.
04

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, option (a) is the most accurate. Mutations in tRNA and rRNA are most likely to lead to the production of defective proteins or no protein production at all.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

protein synthesis disruptions
Protein synthesis is a vital process that cells use to create proteins. Proteins are essential for almost all cell functions, from providing structural support to carrying out chemical reactions. This process relies heavily on tRNA and rRNA.
When mutations occur in tRNA (transfer RNA) or rRNA (ribosomal RNA), protein synthesis can be severely affected:
  • Mutated tRNA may carry the wrong amino acids, leading to incorrect protein sequences.
  • Mutated rRNA might impair the function of ribosomes, the cellular machines that assemble proteins.
Both of these disruptions can result in defective proteins, which can lead to serious cellular malfunctions or diseases.
tRNA (transfer RNA)
Transfer RNA (tRNA) is essential in translating the genetic code from mRNA into a functional protein. It acts as a bridge, carrying specific amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.
Each tRNA molecule has an anticodon, a three-nucleotide sequence that pairs with the corresponding codon on the mRNA. This ensures that the correct amino acid is added to the growing protein chain.
A mutation in the tRNA can lead to:
  • Incorrect anticodon sequences, causing the wrong amino acid to be incorporated.
  • Structural changes in tRNA, leading to inefficiency in protein synthesis or even total failure.
These changes can produce dysfunctional or nonfunctional proteins, impacting cellular operations.
rRNA (ribosomal RNA)
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a key component of ribosomes, the complexes that assemble proteins. rRNA helps form the catalytic site of the ribosome, facilitating the chemical reactions that link amino acids together.
If mutations occur in rRNA, it can have several effects:
  • Disruption of ribosome structure, impairing its ability to synthesize proteins.
  • Impact on the accuracy of translation, resulting in proteins with incorrect amino acid sequences.
Mutated rRNA can significantly hinder the cell's ability to produce functioning proteins, leading to various cellular dysfunctions.
nucleotide sequence changes
Mutations involve changes in the nucleotide sequence within DNA or RNA, which can significantly impact cellular functions. Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, and even small changes can have big effects.
Changes in nucleotide sequences can occur due to:
  • Errors during DNA replication.
  • Exposure to mutagens (e.g., radiation, chemicals).
  • Viral infections.
Such mutations in tRNA and rRNA can disrupt the accuracy and efficiency of protein synthesis, leading to cellular malfunctions and diseases.
Understanding the importance of maintaining accurate nucleotide sequences helps us grasp how vital these components are for the seamless functioning of biological systems.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What type of body cell does not exhibit telomerase activity? a. adult stem cells b. embryonic cells c. germ cells d. liver cells

Compare and contrast the roles of DNA polymerase I and DNA ligase in DNA replication. a. DNA polymerase I removes the RNA primers from the developing copy of DNA. DNA ligase seals the ends of the new segment, especially the Okazaki fragments. b. DNA polymerase I adds the RNA primers to the already developing copy of DNA. DNA ligase separates the ends of the new segment, especially the Okazaki fragments. c. DNA polymerase I seals the ends of the new segment, especially the Okazaki fragments. DNA ligase removes the RNA primers from the developing copy of DNA. d. DNA polymerase I removes the enzyme primase from the developing copy of DNA. DNA ligase seals the ends of the old segment, especially the Okazaki fragments.

Explain the events taking place at the replication fork. If the gene for helicase is mutated, what part of replication will be affected? a. Helicase separates the DNA strands at the origin of replication. Topoisomerase breaks and reforms DNA鈥檚 phosphate backbone ahead of the replication fork, thereby relieving the pressure. Single-stranded binding proteins prevent reforming of DNA. Primase synthesizes RNA primer which is used by DNA polymerase to form a daughter strand. If helicase is mutated, the DNA strands will not be separated at the beginning of replication. b. Helicase joins the DNA strands together at the origin of replication. Topoisomerase breaks and reforms DNA鈥檚 phosphate backbone after the replication fork, thereby relieving the pressure. Single-stranded binding proteins prevent reforming of DNA. Primase synthesizes RNA primer which is used by DNA polymerase to form a daughter strand. If helicase is mutated, the DNA strands will not be joined together at the beginning of replication. c. Helicase separates the DNA strands at the origin of replication. Topoisomerase breaks and reforms DNA鈥檚 sugar backbone ahead of the replication fork, thereby increasing the pressure. Single-stranded binding proteins prevent reforming of DNA. Primase synthesizes DNA primer which is used by DNA polymerase to form a daughter strand. If helicase is mutated, the DNA strands will be separated at the beginning of replication. d. Helicase separates the DNA strands at the origin of replication. Topoisomerase breaks and reforms DNA鈥檚 sugar backbone ahead of the replication fork, thereby relieving the pressure. Single-stranded binding proteins prevent reforming of DNA. Primase synthesizes DNA primer which is used by RNA polymerase to form a parent strand. If helicase is mutated, the DNA strands will be separated at the beginning of replication.

Which of the following would be a good application of plasmid transformation? a. to make copies of DNA b. to isolate a change in a single nucleotide c. to separate DNA fragments d. to sequence DNA

How do the linear chromosomes in eukaryotes ensure that their ends are replicated completely? a. The ends of the linear chromosomes are maintained by the activity of the telomerase enzyme. b. The ends of the linear chromosomes are maintained by the formation of a replication fork. c. The ends of the linear chromosomes are maintained by the continuous joining of Okazaki fragments. d. The ends of the linear chromosomes are maintained by the action of the polymerase enzyme.
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