Lesson 6: Mutations

Question 1

What is a “mutation?”

Answer 1

• A change to a base (in DNA) is known as a “mutation.”

Question 2

True or False

Mutations barely happen and when they do, they will always change the appearance of the protein produced.

Answer 2

• FALSE!!
• Mutations occur continously.
• Most don’t alter the protein/ only alter the protein slightly so that its appearance/ function is not changed.

Question 3

What is the issue with mutations?

Answer 3

• By changing a base, you will change the sequence of amino acids produced.
• The protein will alter - the new protein will have a different shape to the shape it would’ve had without the mutation.

Question 4

What is the issue with the shape of a protein changing after a mutation in coding DNA?

Answer 4

• An enzyme may no longer fit the substrate binding site.
• A structural protein may lose its strength.

Question 5

What two parts of DNA are there in chromosomes?

Answer 5

• Coding DNA (contains bases that code for particular proteins.)
• Non- coding DNA (this DNA simply switch genes on/ off.)

Question 6

What is the role of non- coding DNA?

Answer 6

• Switches genes on/ off.
• Ie. tell genes when to produce proteins.

Question 7

What effect do mutations in non-coding DNA have?

Answer 7

• A gene may be turned on when it should be turned off.
• The cell would produce a protein that it’s not meant to have at that time