Mutations

Question 1

What is a gene mutation?

Answer 1

Change in the DNA base sequence of a chromosome

Question 2

What happens if the order of bases is changed?

Answer 2

The sequence of amino acids in the gene may be changed

Question 3

What does degenerate mean?

Answer 3

Some amino acids are coded for by more than one DNA triplet

Question 4

What mutation wont always cause an effect? Why?

Answer 4

Substitution

Degenerate nature of the genetic code

Question 5

What mutation will always cause an effect? Why?

Answer 5

Deletion

Shifts all bases right of the mutation left

Question 6

What is a mutagenic agent?

Answer 6

Increase the rate of mutations

Question 7

What are examples of mutagenic agents?

Answer 7

UV light
ionising radiation
some chemicals
some viruses

Question 8

When do mutations occur?

Answer 8

Spontaneously

Question 9

What is chromosome non-disjunction?

Answer 9

The failure of chromosomes to separate properly, causing extra copies in some cells and not enough in others

Question 10

What causes chromosome mutations?

Answer 10

errors during meiosis

Question 11

What is a chromosome mutation?

Answer 11

Cells produced contain variations in number of chromosomes or parts of chromosomes