Mutations Flashcards
What are mutations?
A change in the DNA base sequence.
What are mutagenic agents?
These are substances that increase the rate of mutations.
How can a change in the DNA base sequence cause a protein to become non-functional?
A change in the DNA base sequence could cause completely different amino acids to be formed. This means that the hydrogen bonds will form in completely different places and the tertiary structure of the protein will change. This could means it can no longer carry out its function.
What are addition mutations?
When a base is added to the DNA base sequence.
What are deletion mutations?
When a base is removed from the DNA base sequence.
What effect do addition and deletion mutations have?
They cause a frame shift as the number of bases changes and this could lead to completely different amino acids being formed.
What are substitution mutations?
When one base is swapped for another.
Why might a substitution mutation have no effect?
- The genetic code is degenerate.
- It may happen on a section of DNA that does not code for amino acids.
What are inversion mutations?
When one or more bases are inverted.
What are duplication mutations?
When one or more bases are duplicated.
What are translocation mutations?
When a section of bases detaches from a chromosome and rejoins on another chromosome.
