Multiple Choice
Researchers found a strain of E. coli bacteria that had mutation rates one hundred times higher than normal. Which of the following statements correctly describes the most likely cause of these mutations?
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3. Energy & Cell Processes
DNA Repair
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As a result of proofreading by DNA polymerases, the overall error rate in the completed DNA molecule is approximately __________.
A
1 error per 100 nucleotides
B
1 error per 1,000 nucleotides
C
1 error per 1,000,000 nucleotides
D
1 error per 1,000,000,000 nucleotides
E
1 error per 10,000,000,000 nucleotides
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of DNA polymerases in DNA replication. DNA polymerases are enzymes that synthesize DNA molecules from deoxyribonucleotides, the building blocks of DNA. They play a crucial role in DNA replication and have proofreading abilities to ensure accuracy.
Learn about the proofreading function of DNA polymerases. During DNA replication, DNA polymerases can identify and correct mismatched nucleotides through a 3' to 5' exonuclease activity, which significantly reduces the error rate.
Consider the initial error rate before proofreading. Without proofreading, the error rate during DNA replication is higher, but the proofreading function of DNA polymerases reduces this rate significantly.
Evaluate the options given for the error rate after proofreading. The options range from 1 error per 100 nucleotides to 1 error per 1,000,000,000 nucleotides. The correct answer is typically much lower than the initial error rate due to the efficiency of the proofreading mechanism.
Recognize that the correct answer, 1 error per 10,000,000,000 nucleotides, reflects the high fidelity of DNA replication due to the proofreading activity of DNA polymerases, which ensures the genetic information is accurately passed on with minimal errors.
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