Question

How can point and frameshift mutations contribute to biodiversity of Earth? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

Answer:

These mutations form new alleles that increase genetic variation in a population. This variation may lead to new species which increases biodiversity.

Explanation:

Mutations are randomly occurring modifications that exist within the genetic code, leading to replication errors in DNA. DNA molecules are long-chain, helical macromolecules that store genetic material. They consist of different monomer sequences called nucleotides. In a reading frame, which contains instructions for protein production, they shape base pairs and codon sequences.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms are normal, as silent mutations, which sometimes result in no changes in amino acids. Some mistakes add a random nucleotide (SNP) in point mutations resulting in new alleles.

Frameshift mutations occur from nucleotide insertions or deletions that are not divisible by 3. This results in the codon requiring more or fewer nucleotides which disrupt the reading frame, resulting in a separate protein translation.