10 questions in 10 minutes
1. Silent mutations may occur in base substitutions due to which feature of the genetic code?
  • A. Universality
  • B. Non-overlapping
  • C. Degeneracy
  • D. Complementary
2. If a point deletion occurs in a coding region of the DNA, what would be a likely consequence?
  • A. The reading frame would not change
  • B. The amino acid sequence would be unaffected
  • C. A start codon would be introduced leading to a shorter protein
  • D. The three-dimensional structure of the protein would change
3. Which type of mutation is most likely to be passed on to offspring?
  • A. Mutations that occur in non-coding regions of the DNA
  • B. Mutations that occur during DNA replication
  • C. Mutations that occur in the somatic cells
  • D. Mutations that occur in the germ cells
4. What is the relationship between mutations and natural selection?
  • A. Mutations are the sole driver of natural selection
  • B. Mutations are a response to environmental changes
  • C. Mutations are random, and natural selection acts on the resulting variation
  • D. Natural selection actively creates beneficial mutations

Q5&6 - The table below shows an mRNA codon table:

Genetic Code table by Sarah Greenwood

 Sarah Greenwood
CC BY-SA 4.0
5. Which substitution mutation on a DNA strand will lead to a silent mutation involving the amino acid proline (Pro)?
  • A. CCU to CCG
  • B. GAA to GAC
  • C. GCT to GGA
  • D. GGA to GGT
6. Sickle cell disease is caused by a base substitution in the DNA coding for the beta chain of haemoglobin. The template DNA sequence changes from CTC → CAC.  What is the correct corresponding amino acid change?
  • A. Val → Glu
  • B. Glu → Val
  • C. His → Leu
  • D. Tyr → Arg

7. What are possible causes of gene mutation?

I. Errors in DNA transcription
II. Errors in DNA replication
III. Chemical mutagens
IV. All forms of radiation
  • A. I and II only
  • B. II and III only
  • C. I, II, and III only
  • D. I, II, III, and IV
Q8 - 10: Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct word/phrase:  
Mutations can occur in the genome.
DNA mutation is the original source of all .
Although most mutations are either neutral or harmful for an individual organism, in a population living in the wild, they are important for .


Background Image by Tim Tim
CC-BY-SA 4.0