Question

a) In your own words and referring to phenotypes, not proteins, explain what a conditional mutant is. Include an explanation of the terms permissive and non-permissive conditions. That is, give the phenotype in permissive conditions, and give the phenotype in non-permissive conditions. b) In your own words and referring to proteins, not phenotypes, explain what a conditional mutant is. Include an explanation of the terms permissive and non-permissive conditions. That is, describe the protein in permissive and non-permissive conditions. c) Why are conditional mutants so important in the study of cell function that is, why can't we study all cell functions with standard (non-conditional) mutants?

Answer 1

Conditional mutant has a wild type phenotype under certain permissive environmental conditions and a mutant phenotype under certain restrictive conditions.

In permissive condition an organism or cell doesn't display the mutant phenotype,in which virus infection and multiplication occurs normally in a cell.In non permissive condition cell shows mutant phenotype where virus infection and multiplication not occurs.

B.A conditional mutant is a genetic mutation which produces a mutant protein that can function under some conditions but which fail other conditions. In permissive condition protein can function properly while in non permissive protein is unstable and ceases to function

C.conditional mutants can be grown under permissive conditions and then shifted to the restrictive conditions and alsthey allow the determination of a developmental sensitive period at which specific time the gene acts.It is failed in non conditional.