Chapter 22: Mutations Flashcards
Define the term mutation and the name multiple causes of mutations
Mutation: heritable change in the genetic material.
Cause of Mutations:
- Spontaneous: processes that occur naturally causing an error during DNA replication.
- Induced: a change due to environmental factors, does not necessarily happen during DNA replication.
- environmental factors: X-rays, UV light, etc.
Describe how mutations are passed from generation to generation
Mutations are passed from generation to generation when when it occurs in the germline such as sperms and eggs. This passed on from offspring to offspring.
Explain why the transcription and translation machinery do not know if a gene carries a mutation?
If a gene carries a mutation its hard for transcription and translation to possibly know that because when the mutation occurs results in altering the following steps as well bringing bad results or unchanged results.
Describe the different types of base substitutions in a coding region, and predict the effect on the resulting protein
Base Substitutions: same # of bases, one base is altered.
Silent mutatons: does not change results only a change in the DNA and mRNA. Can change the third letter on the codon but does change the proteins function.
**Missense Mutations **: One base changes causing a change in one amino acid., causing a change in proteins function.
nonsense mutations: Caused in DNA not coding for amino acid but changed to a stop codon. The ending result is called truncated protein, ended earlier than needed. Can cause a big problem.
Another Example:
Insertions or Deletions: # of bases changes. Adds or deletes base pairs.
When adding or removing base pairs in the DNA causes a frameshift in the mRNA resulting in different amino acids. Causing a big problem.
Explain how a mutation in a gene can lead to changes in protein form and function.
A mutation in a gene can lead to change in a protein by base substitions or insterions or deletions. Transcription and translation continue their process with a mutation which leads to issues in the proteins form and function.
