Assume that the human haploid genome is $3 \times 10^9$ base pairs long. The mutation rate, when DNA is copied, is $5 \times 10^{-11}$ per base pair per replication. Based on these numbers, the expected number of mutations that take place per replication of the human haploid genome is _______ (Round off to two decimal places)
Calculating Expected Mutations Per Genome Replication
To find the expected number of mutations per replication, multiply the total size of the human haploid genome by the mutation rate per base pair.
- Genome Size: The human haploid genome is $3 \times 10^9$ base pairs (bp).
- Mutation Rate: The rate is $5 \times 10^{-11}$ mutations per bp per replication.
Mutation Calculation
The formula for expected mutations is:
$Expected Mutations = (Genome Size) × (Mutation Rate)$
Substitute the given values:
$Expected Mutations = (3 \times 10^9 \text{ bp}) \times (5 \times 10^{-11} \text{ mutations/bp/replication})$
Perform the multiplication:
$Expected Mutations = (3 \times 5) \times 10^{(9 - 11)}$
$Expected Mutations = 15 \times 10^{-2}$
$Expected Mutations = 0.15$
Final Result
The expected number of mutations is 0.15. Rounding to two decimal places gives 0.15.
Important Questions from Mutation
- Which one of the following mechanisms is expected to generate tightly linked genes?
- In a population, there are two morphs, A and B, which reproduce at equal rates. A mutates to B with probability $p_1$, and B mutates to A with probability $p_2$ such that $p_1 \gg p_2$ (that is, $p_1$ is much greater than $p_2$). Over time, which one of the following statements would be true about this population?
- A gene coding for a particular protein exhibits 2% DNA sequence divergence between humans and chimpanzees. However, protein sequences encoded by them are identical. Which one of the following processes explains this?
- Gene conversion can lead to which one or more of the following evolutionary outcomes?
- For a given gene there is 5% DNA sequence divergence between two species, however the protein coded by this gene has identical sequences in the two species. Which of the following types of mutations best explains this pattern in the DNA sequence?
