Question

Predict the effect that a mutation would have on energy production and homeostasis if it prevented phosphate molecules from bonding with each other. Justify your answer. *

Answer 1

There would be no storage or release of energy for metabolic activities.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mutation is a change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene. Mutation disrupts the production of useful products such as proteins, which the genes code for. In this case, mutation prevents phosphate molecules from bonding with each other.

ATP is the energy carrier in living cells. It stores and releases energy for various metabolic activities within an organism including homeostasis (maintaining a stable internal environment). The energy in the ATP molecule is stored in the phosphate bonds contained in its structure while the energy is released when the last phosphate bond is broken.

Therefore, if a mutation prevents phosphate bonds from forming, energy will be unable to be stored, likewise the release of energy for cellular activities.