True or false? Most DNA mutations have either a neutral or negative effect on the resulting RNA or protein product.

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

In evaluating the statement, we consider how DNA mutations can affect RNA or protein products.
Option 1: True. It is accurate that a large portion of observed mutations are neutral or deleterious rather than beneficial. Neutral mutations may occur due to redundancy in the genetic code (synonymous codons), because a nucleotide change does not alter the amino acid sequence; others occur in noncoding regions where they may not impact gene expression or function. Deleterious mutations can disrupt protein structure, catalytic residues, active site geometry, or regulatory elements, leading to reduced or abolished function. Because of these factors, many mutations do not confer an advantage and can be neutral or harmful rather than beneficial.
Option 2: False. This statement would imply that most mutations are advantageous, which is inconsistent with population genetics and empirical observations. Beneficial mutations are relatively rare because most changes tend to disrupt structure, stability, or regulatory balance. While some mutations can be advantageous in specific environments, they constitute a minority of observed mutations, with neutrality or harmful effects being more common. Additionally, the protein folding landscape and essential cellular networks impose constraints that limit the number of positive alterations,
which supports the idea that not all mutations are neutral or negative, but the majority are not beneficial across general contexts. 
Option 3: (If considered) The idea that almost all mutations are either neutral or negative omits the situations where a mutation might occur in a nonfunctional region with no consequence, or where a change introduces a new function, albeit rarely. This nuanced view reinforces the notion that while beneficial mutations exist, they are not the dominant outcome.
Option 4: (If considered) Stating that negative effects are universal would overgeneralize, ignoring cases where mutations are neutral or even advantageous in particular environments or genetic backgrounds. However, the core expectation in many genomic contexts is that neutrality or deleterious outcomes dominate over universally beneficial changes.

APBIO142-030 with labs 17.02 to 17.03 - Video Quiz

True or false? Most DNA mutations have either a neutral or negative effect on the resulting RNA or protein product.

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