Mutations and Genetic Disorders

Question 1

what is a mutation

Answer 1

a change in DNA which can chage the way an organism looks, its physiology and behaviour. it is very important to genetic variation

Question 2

what are the possible sources of mutation

Answer 2

can be inherited from parents\
can be aquired - enviro damage, mistake in DNA copying which is a spontaneous mutation
can occur spontaneoulsy over long periods of time

Question 3

what can increase a mutation rate

Answer 3

exposure to high temperature, radiation or cigarette smoke for example

Question 4

why is mutation important to variation

Answer 4

a single mutation can have a large effect, in many cases, evolutionary change is based on teh accumulation of many mutations

Question 5

what is a genetic disorder

Answer 5

caused by an altered gene or set of genes, alters instruction for making proteins, you can inherit a gene mutation from one or both parents

Question 6

what is a single gene disorder

Answer 6

mutations that affect one gene e,g, sickle cell anemia

Question 7

what is a complex disorder

Answer 7

mutations in tow or more genes, influenced by lifestyles and invornment e.g. colon cancer

Question 8

what is a chromosomal disorder

Answer 8

chromosomes or pairs of chromosomes are missing or changed e.g. down sydronome (extra chromosome 21)

Question 9

what is a karyotype

Answer 9

a test to examine chromosomes in a sample of cells which can help indentify genetic problem as the case of disorders or disease, can count number of chro and look for structural chnages