If a mutation is found in sequencing, what problem can it cause for the clone?

Correct answer: Gene function can change

The governing concept is sequence fidelity: the biological function of a cloned gene depends on its nucleotide sequence. A mutation may alter a codon, create a premature stop signal, change a regulatory region, or shift the reading frame. Any of these changes can modify or eliminate the encoded product and may reduce the usefulness of the clone. Thus option A is correct because a sequence mutation can change gene expression or the function of the resulting protein. Sequencing is therefore used to verify the intended insert before further work. A mutation does not automatically improve the host, convert agar into DNA, or remove the need for selection.