Molecular Basis of Inheritance Question 90

90. What base is responsible for hot spots for spontaneous point mutations?

[1998]

(a) Adenine

(b) 5-bromouracil

(c) 5-methylcytosine

(d) Guanine

Show Answer

Answer : c

Hints & Solution

(c) The term “hot spots” was used by Benzer for the sites which are more mutable than other sites. Studies in 1978 revealed that 5 -methylcytosine residues occur at the position of each hot spot.