Mutation and Meiosis Flashcards
When do mutations usually occur?
Replication
Cell division
What are mutations?
Any change to the DNA of an organism; either the quantity of DNA or the base sequence
What are the two type of mutation?
Gene
Chromosome
What are gene mutations?
A change in the base sequence of the DNA of an organism
Happens during DNA replication
What are chromosome mutations?
A change in the number or structure of whole chromosomes
Happens during cell division
Are mutations in somatic cells passed on? Why?
No
Inherited cells are only from gametes in meiosis
If you have a change in the base sequence of DNA what also changes?
Base sequence of mRNA Amino acid sequence Hydrogen bonds Tertiary structure of protein Protein function
What are the 3 main type of gene mutations?
Substitution
Addition
Deletion
What is a substitution mutation?
One base in the DNA is switched for a different base
What are addition and deletion mutations?
Addition - one base is inserted into the DNA
Deletion - one base is removed from the DNA
What are the consequences of a substitution mutation?
Non-sense mutation: results in a stop codon
Mis-sense mutation: causes a different amino acid to be coded for
Silent mutation: the substituted base code for the same amino acid = no effect
What are the consequences of addition and deletion mutations?
Frame shift
Causes all subsequent codons to be altered
Can be devastating if at the start of a gene
What causes mutations?
Ionising radiation Carcinogens Genetic/Inherited Age Random Microorganisms
What happens in meiosis?
DNA is replicated from the parent cell
The homologous pairs are separated
Then the chromatids are separated to form 4 genetically varied daughter cells each containing half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell
Why is it important the chromosome number is halved in meiosis?
DNA is halved so the diploid number is restored and we don’t double chromosomes every generation