Topic 3 - Mutations Flashcards
1
Q
What are mutations?
A
Random changes that occur in a gene or chromosome
2
Q
How are mutations impactful?
A
- They can cause an alteration in the base pair sequences
- if the sequence is different it could code for a different amino acid
- this could lead to a different protein being made that won’t carry out its usual function or work differently causing the body to behave differently
3
Q
Why can mutations be passed on?
A
It’s contained in the DNA meaning it can be passed on for generations
4
Q
What is a dominant allele?
A
An allele that masks the recessive trait
5
Q
What’s a recessive trait?
A
A trait that can be present but you won’t see it
6
Q
What is homozygous?
A
When both alleles are the same (YY or yy)
7
Q
What is heterozygous?
A
When alleles are different (Yy or Bb)
8
Q
What is phenotype?
A
The physical appearance of an organism
9
Q
What’s a genotype?
A
The genetic letters that represent the alleles of the organism
