What base is responsible for hot spots for spontaneous point mutations...
The term "hot spots" was used by Benzer for the sites which are more mutable than other sites. Studies in 1978 revealed that 5-methylcytosine residues occur at the position of each hot spot.
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What base is responsible for hot spots for spontaneous point mutations...
Base responsible for hot spots for spontaneous point mutations
5-methylcytosine is responsible for hot spots for spontaneous point mutations.
Explanation
- The genetic material DNA is made up of four nucleotides: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T).
- The addition, deletion, or substitution of a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence can lead to a point mutation.
- Point mutations can be spontaneous or induced by mutagens (chemicals, radiation, etc.).
- Spontaneous mutations can arise due to errors in DNA replication or repair mechanisms.
- Some bases are more prone to spontaneous mutations than others.
- 5-methylcytosine is a modified form of cytosine that occurs naturally in DNA.
- It is a hot spot for spontaneous mutations because it can undergo deamination (loss of an amino group) and turn into thymine, which is a different nucleotide.
- This can lead to a C to T transition mutation, which is a common type of point mutation.
- 5-methylcytosine is present in CpG dinucleotides, which are regions of the genome that are often methylated.
- CpG dinucleotides are also hot spots for mutations because they can undergo spontaneous deamination of 5-methylcytosine to form thymine.
- Mutations in CpG dinucleotides are associated with various genetic diseases and cancer.
- Thus, 5-methylcytosine is responsible for hot spots for spontaneous point mutations.
What base is responsible for hot spots for spontaneous point mutations...
A. 5-bromouracil is the brominated form of Uracil which gets incorporated in the DNA in the place of Thymine. Thus, Adenine can pair with 5-bromouracil instead of Thymine and this may induce point mutation.
B. 5-methylcytosine is the methylated form of Cytosine and is involved in gene regulation.
C. Guanine is a purine which pairs with Cytosine.
D. Adenine is a purine which pairs with Thymine.
Hence, 5-bromouracil is responsible for hot spot for spontaneous point mutations.
So, the correct answer is '5-bromouracil'.
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