Alteration in the DNA of a muscle cell of a mouse by substituting one base pair with another could likely:
1. Change all DNA sequences in the mouse.
2. Change one amino acid in a protein a muscle cell produces.
3. Alter the carbohydrates that the muscle cells ribosomes produce.
4. Alter the DNA of the offspring of the mouse.
Answer (2)
The most likely outcome of altering one base pair in a mouse muscle cell's DNA is the change of one amino acid in a protein produced by that cell. This change would not affect all DNA sequences in the mouse, alter carbohydrates synthesized by ribosomes, or affect the DNA of offspring unless germ cells are impacted. Therefore, the correct answer is option 2.
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In this question, we are discussing what might occur when a single base pair in the DNA of a muscle cell in a mouse is substituted with another. Let's go through each option one by one to determine the most likely outcome:
Change all DNA sequences in the mouse : This is not likely to occur. Altering a single base pair in one muscle cell would only affect the DNA of that specific cell. It would not change the DNA sequences throughout the entire organism.
Change one amino acid in a protein a muscle cell produces : This is the most probable outcome. A change in one base pair is known as a point mutation, particularly a missense mutation if it results in the substitution of one amino acid for another in a protein sequence. This happens because DNA sequences are transcribed into mRNA, which is then translated into proteins. If the mutation occurs in a coding region of a gene, it could change the codon, thus changing an amino acid in the resulting protein, potentially impacting the protein's function.
Alter the carbohydrates that the muscle cells' ribosomes produce : Ribosomes do not produce carbohydrates; they synthesize proteins. Therefore, a DNA mutation would not affect carbohydrate synthesis, making this option incorrect.
Alter the DNA of the offspring of the mouse : For a mutation to affect offspring, it must occur in the germ cells (sperm or egg cells), which contribute to the genetic makeup of the offspring. A mutation in a somatic cell, like a muscle cell, will not be passed to the next generation.
Considering these explanations, option 2 is the correct answer. Substituting one base pair with another in a DNA sequence of a muscle cell could likely change one amino acid in a protein that the muscle cell produces.
