Question

A series of mutations caused a DNA sequence to change from ATCGATAA to GGCGGTAA. Which of the following sequences do you think will take longer to replicate? Thoroughly explain!

A scientist is interested in studying the unfolded protein response in an unknown (has not been previously studied) mutant cell line. The scientist treats the cells with heat to cause the proteins in the ER to denature. Unfortunately, the scientist does not measure any chaperone activity in the ER. The scientist concludes that the mutant must have a mutation related to the unfolded protein response. What could be one potential mutation (where in the UPR) that could inhibit the unfolded protein response? Explain your answer.

S37 is a protein (not a real protein) that is normally responsible for degrading phosphatases. A mutation in S37 causes S37 to degrade kinases instead of phosphatases. Which part (think structure) of S37 is likely being most impacted by this mutation?

A newly discovered element binds strongly to iron. This element appears to have a stronger bond to iron than any other known element, therefore it can likely out compete other elements that also bind to iron. If this element was somehow introduced into the body, what affect do you think it will have on molecular/biological processes in the body? Will it be positive or negative? Explain and make sure to include what may happen at the cellular level.

Answer 1

There are 4 questions in the list, However numbering is not done. But I am answering only first question according to rule. Please ask others separately.

1. DNA replication is the process by which a DNA makes it's daughter DNA or simply the formation of new DNA from existing one. The time taken in a replication depends upon the base pair sequences present in the parent strand. A parent strand is from which a new strand is formed. New DNA strand always forms in 5' to 3' direction.

As we know that the nitrogenous bases are binded with each other by the hydrogen bond formation in between them. A purine always binds to a pyrimidine or vice- versa. When there is bond formation between adenine (A) and thymine (T), there are formation of 2 hydrogen bonds. When there is bond formation between guanine (G) and cytosine (C) there are formation of 3 hydrogen bonds.

So the binding of nucleotides having G and C take more time as compared to nucleotides having A and T.

In the second nucleotide sequences or the mutated strand (GGCGGTAA) given in the question there are more G or C bases (5 out of 8) than (2 in) the first strand (ATCGATAA).

So the replication time will be more in the case of mutated DNA strand.

Thanks.