Investigation of Point Mutations

What are mutations and how do they occur?

Record Data and Observations

Part 1
1. Describe the result of the substitution mutation that occurs when you substitute the base
C (cytosine), G (guanine), or T (thymine) for the adenine (A) in the first DNA codon in
Part 1.

Parts 2 and 3
2. Use the space below to draw the original sequences of DNA, RNA, and amino acids in
this activity before any mutations occurred.

3. Describe the results of the single base deletion mutations.

4. Describe the results of the single base insertion mutations.

Part 4

Investigation of Point Mutations • Copyright © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.
5. Summarize the difference(s) you observed between the model of the white-eyed fly’s
DNA sequence and the model of the red-eyed fly’s DNA sequence.

Analyze and Conclude

6. Describe Patterns Describe the general effect(s) that mutations can have on an
organism.

7. Analyze Data Compare and contrast the three different types of mutations in this activity
and their results.

8. Relate Cause and Effect Are all mutations bad? Explain.

Investigation of Point Mutations • Copyright © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.