Point mutations can affect which genetic material?

Point mutations can affect which genetic material?

• A. DNA only
• B. RNA only
• C. DNA or RNA
• D. Proteins only

Answer: (C)

Point mutations are single-nucleotide changes in the genetic material. They can occur in any nucleic acid that stores genetic information, which means DNA in organisms with DNA genomes and RNA in organisms with RNA genomes or RNA viruses. Because mutations happen in the genetic material, they can alter the sequences that encode proteins, potentially changing amino acids in the resulting proteins. However, proteins themselves are products, not the genetic material, so they aren’t the site where a mutation occurs. That's why point mutations can affect DNA or RNA, depending on the organism or virus. The other options miss cases: DNA only ignores RNA genomes; RNA only overlooks DNA genomes; proteins only would ignore the actual genetic substrate.

Point mutations are single-nucleotide changes in the genetic material. They can occur in any nucleic acid that stores genetic information, which means DNA in organisms with DNA genomes and RNA in organisms with RNA genomes or RNA viruses. Because mutations happen in the genetic material, they can alter the sequences that encode proteins, potentially changing amino acids in the resulting proteins. However, proteins themselves are products, not the genetic material, so they aren’t the site where a mutation occurs. That's why point mutations can affect DNA or RNA, depending on the organism or virus. The other options miss cases: DNA only ignores RNA genomes; RNA only overlooks DNA genomes; proteins only would ignore the actual genetic substrate.