Chapter 17, Problem 17STP

Summary Introduction

To write:

A mutagen cause a change in the protein for which a DNA strand is coding. The effect of a specific mutation through the process of protein synthesis.

Introduction:

Mutagens bring change in DNA that shows different effects depending if the change occur in genome. Not all mutations bring change some mutations are silent and bring no effect on protein formed from a particular gene.

Explanation of Solution

DNA sequence inside a gene controls the synthesis of protein. Altering the DNA sequence results altering the amino acid sequence in a protein also. Protein synthesis does the formation of mRNA (messenger RNA) that copies the DNA sequence through transcription. Here mRNA carries the coding sequences for the synthesis of protein synthesis. These coding sequences are transcripts.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) molecules does the formation of structures where protein synthesis takes place.

Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules does transferring of amino acids to the ribosomes while the synthesis of protein.

Conclusion

Mutagens are small molecules that leads to phenotypic changes through cell signaling and enters into the nucleus of the cell. They alter the DNA sequence that brings the change in amino acids and proteins sequences.