Mutations Flashcards
What is a mutation?
A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism.
True or False: All mutations are harmful.
False
Fill in the blank: A mutation that changes one amino acid in a protein is called a _____ mutation.
missense
What type of mutation results in a premature stop codon?
nonsense mutation
Which type of mutation involves the insertion or deletion of nucleotides?
frameshift mutation
Give an example of a beneficial mutation.
Lactose tolerance in certain human populations.
What is a silent mutation?
A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein.
True or False: Mutations can occur spontaneously.
True
What is the primary cause of mutations?
Errors during DNA replication.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a type of mutation? A) Deletion B) Inversion C) Translation D) Substitution
C) Translation
How can environmental factors lead to mutations?
They can cause DNA damage or errors during DNA replication.
Fill in the blank: Mutations in _____ cells can be passed to offspring.
germ
What is a chromosomal mutation?
A mutation that affects the structure or number of chromosomes.
True or False: All mutations are inherited.
False
What is a frameshift mutation?
A mutation caused by the insertion or deletion of nucleotides that shifts the reading frame.
Give an example of a harmful mutation.
Cystic fibrosis caused by a deletion mutation in the CFTR gene.
What is the difference between a somatic mutation and a germline mutation?
Somatic mutations occur in non-reproductive cells, while germline mutations occur in reproductive cells.
Fill in the blank: A mutation that results in a change in a single nucleotide is called a _____ mutation.
point
Multiple Choice: Which of the following mutations is most likely to have a significant impact on a protein? A) Silent B) Missense C) Nonsense D) Both B and C
D) Both B and C
What role do mutagens play in mutation?
Mutagens are agents that increase the rate of mutations.
True or False: Mutations can lead to genetic diversity in populations.
True
What is a deletion mutation?
A mutation where one or more nucleotides are removed from the DNA sequence.
Fill in the blank: Mutations can be classified as _____ or _____ based on their effects on the protein produced.
beneficial, harmful
What is an inversion mutation?
A mutation where a segment of DNA is reversed within the chromosome.
What is the significance of mutations in evolution?
They provide the genetic variation necessary for natural selection.
True or False: All mutations are visible in the phenotype of an organism.
False
