9.Genetic diversity and adaptation Flashcards
Define a gene mutation
Any change to one or more nucleotide bases or sequence of bases in DNA
Name 3 consequences of gene substitution
- One of the 3 stop codons are formed which prematurely stops the production of the polypeptide chain. This results in a significantly different protein that wouldn’t be able to function properly
- Another codon is formed, which codes for a different amino acid. This change in the polypeptide chain may cause a change in the proteins tertiary structure meaning the protein produce will be dysfunctional.
- The formation of different codon but codes for the same amino acid. This is because the genetic code is degenerate. It will have no effect on the overall protein shape/function
What is substitution
A type of gene mutation in which a nucleotide in a DNA molecule is replaced by another nucleotide
What is deletion
A gene mutation arises when a nucleotide is lost from the normal DNA sequence
What is the consequence of a deletion mutation
The deletion of a base causes a frameshift for every codon downstream of the mutation. This alters most triplets downstream meaning the amino acids coded for are different, significantly altering the proteins tertiary structure and therefore its dysfunction.
What is a chromosomes mutation
A change in the structure or number of whole chromosomes
Describe and explain the two forms chromosome mutations can take
- changes in whole sets of chromosomes (polyploid)
- changes in the number of individual chromosomes (non-disjunction)
What is polyploid
Occurs when organisms have 3 or more sets or chromosomes rather than the usual two.
What is non-disjunction
Sometimes individual homologous pairs fail to separate during meiosis. This results in a gamete having one more or one fewer chromosome. This produces an offspring with more or fewer chromosomes in their body cells
Name two ways cell division occurs
- mitosis
- meiosis
Why is meiosis important
The number of chromosomes must be lowered from diploid to haploid to maintain a constant number of chromosomes. This occurs during meiosis
How many nuclear divisions occur in meiosis
2
What occurs in the first division (meiosis I)
- homologous chromosomes pair up and their chromatids wrap around each other
- equivalent portions of these chromatids may be exchanged in the process (crossing over)
- the homologous pairs separate with one chromosome from each pair going into one of the two daughter cells
What is crossing over
The process whereby a chromatid breaks during meiosis and re-joins to the chromatid of its homologous chromosome so that their alleles are exchanged
What occurs in the second division (meiosis II)
- the chromatids separate and go into separate daughter cells
- this means there are 4 daughter cells at the end of this process