Genetic variation 1

Question 1

what are synonymous mutations? nonsynonymous?

Answer 1

synon: silent, changes do not alter the amino acid in the protein
nonsynon: changes DO alter amino acid

Question 2

How is variation created?

Answer 2

• mutations
• meiosis (sexual recombination)

Question 3

What are point mutations? the two kinds?

Answer 3

• Alterations of a single base pair to lead to an abnormal protein
  1. Base pair substitution
  2. frameshift

Question 4

What are base pair substitutions? the two kinds?

Answer 4

• replacement of one base pair by another at a specific DNA site in a population or a species
  1. transitions
  2. transversions

Question 5

What are frameshift mutations? the two kinds?

Answer 5

• an insertion or deletion that alters the reading frame, results in many changes
  1. insertion
  2. deletion

Question 6

What are the three (general) types of chromosome mutations?

Answer 6

1. loss of genetic material
2. gain of genetic material
3. relocation of genetic material

Question 7

4 specific types of chromosomal mutations?

Answer 7

1. deletion
2. duplication
3. inversion
4. fission, fusion

Question 8

Species with _______ ______ tend to have _______ mutation rates per base pair per generation

Answer 8

Species with LARGER GENOMES tend to have HIGHER mutation rates per base pair per generation

Question 9

what is the molecular clock used for?

Answer 9

to estimate the time at which lineages diverged/date the connections between species

Question 10

species evolve at _______ _______, due to generational times

Answer 10

species evolve at DIFFERENT RATES, due to generational times

Question 11

what is the equation to determine the rate of molecular evolution (How long since two species shared an ancestor)

Answer 11

D=2rt

D= proportion of base pairs that differ between the two species
r=average rate of change per base pair
t= time since divergence in My
2= two diverging lineages