Mutations and Recombinant DNA Flashcards
What is a germ line mutation?
If the mutation occurs in the sperm or egg. These can be inherited by future generations
What is a somatic cell mutation?
It occurs in somatic cells. All daughter cells will inherit the mutations. Future offspring will not unless mutation is in the gametes
What causes a mutation?
A substitution of a nucleotide, an insertion of one or more nucleotides, or a deletion of one or more nucleotides.
What is a silent mutation?
Little or no effect on protein synthesis. Generally caused by a substitution
What is a mis-sense mutation?
A slightly altered but still functional protein. Can be harmful or beneficial. Generally caused by a substitution.
What is a nonsense mutation?
May have severe consequences. Can lead to the inability to code for a protein. It could delete a start signal. Generally caused by an insertion or deletion
What is a frame shift mutation?
When the insertion or deletion of one or more nucleotides (unless an entire codon) will cause the reading frame to shift to “fill the gaps”
What is a spontaneous mutation?
A mutation that occurs naturally in the cells
What is an induced mutation?
An exposure to a certain factor outside the cell. Generally caused by a mutagen.
What are the two kinds of mutagens?
Physical and chemical. Chemical mutagens most often cause cancer
What is mitochondrial DNA? (mtDNA)
The organelles of the ovum (mitochondria specifically) are passed on the the generation by the mother. The mitochondrial DNA synthesizes its own proteins. Passed from mother to child no matter what
What is recombinant DNA?
A technique of exchanging genetic material between two organisms that wouldn’t otherwise be exchanged. The DNA is spliced from one and inserted into the other
What is a restriction enzyme?
They bind to a specific site on DNA. Restricted from binding elsewhere. They cut DNA in in 4-8 nucleotide lengths to create “sticky ends”
What is the plasmid?
A small circle of DNA in a bacteria where the DNA is inserted into?
What does it means to be transgenic?
A transgenic host is the species that contains the transplanted DNA.
