Cellular Control, 6.1 Flashcards
Define Mutation
Random change to genetic material
How do mutations occur?
Randomly. Spontaneously. When exposed to certain chemicals. Ionizing radiation.
What happens if the mutations are associated with mitosis?
Somatic. Cancerous tumors.
What happens if the mutations are associated with meiosis?
Inherited by offspring
What can mutations affect?
Production and function
What are Point Mutations?
One base pair replaces another (substitution)
Define degenerate
Amino acids are coded for by more than one triplet
What are Silent Mutations?
There is a change to the triplet but the triplet still codes for the same amino acid. Structure of the protein is not altered.
What are Missense Mutations?
Change in the triplet sequence leads to a change in the amino acid sequence in a protein. Can alter the primary structure and therefore its function.
What are Nonsense Mutations?
Alters the base triplet so it becomes a termination triplet. Results in a protein that will not function - most likely to be degraded.
What disease can Missense Mutations cause?
sickle cell disease - mutation in the haemoglobin gene.
What disease can Nonsense Mutations cause?
Responsible for Thalassemia recessive blood disease - results in anaemia.
What are Indel Mutations?
Nucleotides are inserted or deleted. Causes a frameshift.
What happens if nucleotides are inserted or deleted?
All the subsequent base pairs are altered as base pairs are read in 3’s.
What happens when mRNA is translated after an indel mutation?
The amino acid sequence is disrupted. The primary and tertiary structures are therefore altered. Protein cannot carry out its function.
What happens if bases are deleted?
Bases are read in triplets so all the bases are shifted forwards
What disease can be caused from Indel Mutations?
Tay Sachs disease - autosomnal recessive disorder, deterioration of mental and physical abilities. Lipids are not broken down sufficiently and accumulate in the brain.
What are expanding triplet nucleotide repeats?
Some genes contain a repeating triplet. The number increases at meiosis and again from generation to generation.
What disease can expanding triplet nucleotide repeats cause?
Huntington disease - if the number goes above a certain critical number
What are mutagenic agents?
They increase the frequency of mutations. Physical or chemical agent that changes genetic material eg radiation.
Why are not all mutations harmful?
Some are beneficial and have helped to drive evolution.
How is blue eyes a useful mutation?
Less pigment. In more temperate areas it allows people to see better
How is Black Skin a useful mutation?
In hot countries. There is lots of melanin which protects against sunburn and skin cancer.
How is Pale Skin a useful mutation?
In temperate regions. Vitamin D can be made with a lower intensity of light
How is cell division controlled?
By genes
What are tumour suppressor genes?
Slow cell division
What do tumour suppressor genes do?
Inhibit cell divisions. Prevents tumours developing - maintains cell division rate.
What happens if tumour suppressor gene is inactive?
A tumour can develop
What are Proto Oncogenes?
Stimulate cell division
What do Proto Oncogenes do?
Normally switched ‘on’ when growth factors are detected by protein receptors. Causes relay proteins in the cytoplasm to switch those genes on.
What is an Oncogene?
Mutation causes oncogenes. They are permanently switched ‘on’ - receptor permanently activated, growth factor produced in excessive amounts.
What does it mean when a gene is switched on?
That it is transcribed into mRNA and then translated in a protein. Only a few genes are expressed at one time.
What are the main stages of protein synthesis?
- Transcription - forms mRNA
- Processing of mRNA
- Translation of mRNA - at a ribosome and a polypeptide chain is formed
What does a transcriptional factor do?
Stimulates the gene to start transcription
What is a transcriptional factor?
A protein or short non-coding RNA that combines with a specific length of DNA to inhibit or activate transcription
How does a transcriptional factor work?
They slide along the DNA molecule seeking and binding to specific parts of the promoter sequence. Either aids or inhibits the attachment of RNA Polymerase.
How can the action of transcriptional factor be stopped?
By an inhibitor molecule - bind to it to prevent in from binding to DNA
What is the operon?
Length of DNA made from structural genes and control sites
What are structural genes?
Code for a protein
What are control sites?
Operator and promoter region of DNA