D1.3 Mutation and Gene Editing

Question 1

SNPs

Answer 1

occur when one nucleotide is replaced by another nucleotide in the DNA sequence

Question 2

Synonymous substitutions

Answer 2

known as neutral mutations as they do not change the amino acid sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code

Question 3

Frameshift mutations

Answer 3

can be caused by insertions or deletions, which alter the reading frame of codons

Question 4

Mutagens

Answer 4

agents that can cause mutations. Mustard gas and nitrous acid are chemical types of mutagens.

Question 5

Mutations in germ cells

Answer 5

can be passed onto offspring and affect their traits

Question 6

neutral mutation

Answer 6

that do not significantly affect the organism

Question 7

Gene knockout

Answer 7

a technique in which a specific gene is intentionally made inoperative to study its function

Question 8

CRISPR-Cas9 system

Answer 8

Bacteria employ the as a means of self-defence against invading foreign DNA, such as viruses.

Question 9

sgRNA

Answer 9

molecule is designed to target and bind to a particular DNA sequence of interest, guiding the enzyme Cas9

Question 10

Cas9

Answer 10

enzyme to that location and enabling it to make precise cuts in the DNA resulting in a double-strand break

Question 11

conserved sequence

Answer 11

that remain identical or similar across a species or group of species