Mutations & Cancers

Question 1

What are mutations

Answer 1

A change in a cell’s DNA sequence
- Mutations are beneficial to help organisms adapt and survive as a part of the evolutionary process
- Creates diversity between organisms

Harmful mutations
If a cell becomes mutated,the daughter cells it produces copies the mutated genetic code
Wrong messages are being sent
Can stem to mutated tissues
Can be caused by radiation, carcinogens, chemical reactions, can be random

Question 2

Types of mutations

Answer 2

• Base substitution
  One of the bases is changed
  Eg. AAG-CTG-CAG becomes ATG-CTG-CAG
• Base insertion
  A base is added, and shifts the entire code of the DNA
  Eg. AAG-CTG-CAG becomes AAG-CAT-GCA-G
• Base deletion
  A base is removed, and shifts the code of the DNA as well
  AAG-CTG-CAG becomes AAG-CGC-AG (T was deleted)

Question 3

Effects of mutations

Answer 3

Effects of mutations
Neutral - not beneficial or detrimental to the organism
Deleterious - Eg. Sickle cell
Lethal - Eg. death from radioactive waste
Beneficial - Eg. evolving, adaptation

Question 4

What are cancers

Answer 4

A group of cells with abnormal genetic material that display three main properties
1. Uncontrolled growth
2. Invasion
Occupying space and invading spaces
Metastasis
3. Cancer spreads through bloodstream
Mutations are heavily accelerated within cancer cells
Can be accelerated through the environment or carcinogens
Eg. sunlight, smoking, chemicals, etc.

Question 5

What are tumours and types of tumours

Answer 5

Tumours are abnormal growths in cells
Benign tumour
- Do not spread
- Not cancerous
- Defined borders
- Eg. Moles

Malignant tumour
- No defined borders
- Metastasize (spread)
- Are cancerous