Genes and disease Flashcards
What are the three main reasons that genes can become damaged?
Inheritance
Ageing
Environmental damage
How does inheritance affect gene damage?
Any genes that are damaged can be inherited from the parental genes
How does ageing affect gene damage?
The normal process of DNA replication during cell division can introduce errors
What are the two ways environmental damage can harm genes?
Through radiation and through Chemicals
How does radiation affect genes?
UV and ionising radiation damage DNA
How do chemicals affect genes?
Some chemicals can react covalently with DNA causing damage
What are the 5 things that can happen when genes go wrong?
Gene deletions Extra genes Chromosome breakage and translocation Change of DNA sequence Modifications to control regions of genes
What is the result of a gene deletions?
Result in severe mental and physical disabilities
What is the result of extra genes?
Mental and physical differences
What is the result of a chromosome breakage and translocation?
Results in mutant genes
What is the result of modifications to control regions of genes?
Altered gene expression
What are the 4 results that can happen when you change one base within a gene?
Silent
Missense
Nonsense
Frameshift
What does it mean if the result is silent?
The code is degenerate
What does it mean if the result is missense?
Codes for another amino acid
What does it mean if the result is nonsense?
It codes for stop