Changes in DNA and Germ Cell Mutations Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 2 mechanisms that cause Mutations?
A
- Errors during DNA replication
2. Mutagen
2
Q
What is a Mutagen?
A
A substance that induces a mutation
3
Q
What must a cell do during DNA replication (in a nutshell)?
A
It must double it’s DNA content and make a duplicate of the entire genome
4
Q
What is used to speed up the process of DNA synthesis?
A
DNA polymerase
5
Q
What does DNA polymerase perform?
A
Proofreading of newly synthesized strands for mispairing of bases
6
Q
Which are the 3 repair mechanisms of DNA?
A
- Proofreading
- Mismatch repair
- Excision repair
7
Q
What is the function of Excision repair and how does it perform its function?
A
To seek out DNA damage caused by mutagens and by removing entire sections of the defective DNA strand and allow DNA polymerase to to generate new bases
8
Q
What is a Germ cell?
A
Reproductive cells that give rise to sperm and ovum
