Cells-Mutation Pt.4

Question 1

What is gene mutation?

Answer 1

A change in the specific order of the nitrogen bases that make up a specific gene

Question 2

What are the types of genetic mutations?

Answer 2

Deletion - one base is missing
Addition - One base is added
Substitution - One base is substituted for another

Question 3

Proteins produced by DNA mutations can:

Answer 3

Benefit the organism = positive mutation
Harm the organism = negative mutation
Have no effect on the organism = neutral mutation

Question 4

What are the examples of positive mutation?

Answer 4

1. Some people have a mutation that makes them resistant to HIV and are therefore resistant to AIDS
2. Some plants are resistant to bacteria and fungal infections

Question 5

What are the examples of negative mutation?

Answer 5

1. Some people have sickle cell anemia which makes abnormally shaped red blood cells that cannot carry oxygen efficiently.
2. Some people have cystic fibrosis and the body does not correctly make proteins that transport chloride ions into and out of the cell so mucus builds up

Question 6

What is an example of neutral mutation?

Answer 6

This gene mutation causes the white coat of Spirit Bears to have no significant effect on its survival

Question 7

What are mutagens?

Answer 7

Substances or factors that can cause mutation in DNA

Question 8

Examples of mutagens?

Answer 8

Cigarette smoke, X-rays, Household chemicals, Radiation, Pollutants

Question 9

Correcting mutations?

Answer 9

Damaged DNA results in incorrect production of proteins. Gene therapy is where researches replace a mutated gene with a healthy copy of the gene. However, gene therapy is risky and is only tested on diseases without known cures