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DNA Repair quiz

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  • What is a base pairing error in DNA replication?
    A base pairing error occurs when the wrong nucleotide is paired, such as adenine pairing with cytosine instead of thymine.
  • How often do base pairing errors occur during DNA replication?
    Base pairing errors occur at a rate of about 1 in every 100,000 base pairs.
  • What can happen if DNA replication errors are not repaired?
    Unrepaired errors can become permanent mutations, which may lead to diseases like cancer.
  • How are mutations compared to typos in a resume?
    Mutations are like typos in a resume because they can significantly change the intended message or outcome.
  • What is the normal base pairing for adenine in DNA?
    Adenine normally pairs with thymine in DNA.
  • What is the proofreading ability of DNA polymerases?
    DNA polymerases can find and fix many errors that occur during DNA replication, reducing the error rate.
  • How much does DNA polymerase proofreading reduce the error rate?
    Proofreading reduces the error rate from 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 10,000,000,000 base pairs.
  • Are mutations still possible after DNA polymerase proofreading?
    Yes, mutations are still possible, but they are much less likely after proofreading.
  • What role do other DNA repair enzymes play?
    Other DNA repair enzymes help correct errors that DNA polymerase proofreading might miss.
  • Why is a 1 in 100,000 error rate considered high?
    It's considered high because DNA replication happens frequently and involves large amounts of DNA.
  • What is the consequence of a mutation in DNA?
    A mutation can change the final product encoded by the DNA, potentially leading to diseases.
  • What does the cartoon analogy in the lesson illustrate?
    It illustrates how a small error (like a typo) can have a big impact, similar to mutations in DNA.
  • What is the main function of DNA repair mechanisms?
    Their main function is to maintain the fidelity of DNA by correcting replication errors.
  • How do DNA repair enzymes complement DNA polymerase proofreading?
    They fix errors that escape the proofreading process, further reducing mutation rates.
  • Why is DNA repair important for health?
    DNA repair prevents mutations that could lead to diseases such as cancer.