Question

Which of the following is the most likely effect of a mutation in the gene coding for a DNA repair enzyme?

- The cell containing the mutation will divide more frequently because the cell cycle checkpoints will not function properly.
- Mutations will accumulate more quickly because the cell will not be able to fix errors in replication.
- The mutated gene will not be transcribed because RNA polymerase cannot transcribe mutated DNA.
- The cell will immediately undergo apoptosis so that mutated DNA is not replicated in future rounds of cell division.

Answer 1

- Mutations will accumulate more quickly because the cell will not be able to fix errors in replication.

This is because the mutation in a gene coding for a DNA repair enzyme will likely cause it to stop functioning normally, allowing errors in DNA replication to increased unchecked and "slip through the cracks".