Question

Examine the following series of words and identify what kind of mutation occurred in each, starting with the first word in the non-mutated form:

BEAST (non-mutated form)

FEAST BREAST BEST BEATS

Answer 1

BEAST (non-mutated form)

FEAST - This is an example of substitution mutation.

A substitution mutation is one in which one or more letters gets replaced by similar number of different letters. Here, the letter B is replaced by F.

BREAST - insertion mutation.

In insertion mutation a letter is added to the sequence. Here, R is added to the sequence BEAST.

BEST - deletion mutation.

In deletion mutation a letter is deleted from the sequence. Here, the letter A is deleted from the sequence BEAST.

BEATS - inversion mutation

In inversion mutation a whole segment is reversed from end to end. Here the segment ST is reversed to TS to form BEATS.