Question

What is meant by a conditional mutation?

Short answer

Answer: A conditional mutation is a genetic change that alters an organism's phenotype (observable characteristics) only under specific environmental conditions. An example of a conditional mutation is a mutation in bacteria that allows them to grow in the presence of an antibiotic. In the absence of the antibiotic, the bacteria exhibit a wild-type phenotype, but if the antibiotic is present, they show a mutant phenotype, surviving and growing despite the presence of the antibiotic.

Step-by-step solution

Define conditional mutation

Conditional mutations are genetic changes that alter an organism's phenotype (observable characteristics) only under specific environmental conditions. Under other conditions, the organism will exhibit a wild-type or normal phenotype.

Provide an example of a conditional mutation

For instance, let's consider a mutation in bacteria that allows them to grow in the presence of an antibiotic. If the bacteria are grown in an environment where there is no antibiotic present, they will exhibit a wild-type phenotype and show no change in their growth pattern. However, if the antibiotic is present, the bacteria will show a mutant phenotype by surviving and growing in the presence of the antibiotic. The mutated gene is expressed only under the specific environmental condition, hence it is a conditional mutation.