Topic 6 Mutations Flashcards
What is a mutation
A random change in an organisms DNA
that can sometimes be Inherited
When do mutations occur
Spontaneously
What increases the chance of mutation occurring
Exposure to certain substances or some types of radiation
What do mutations do
Change the sequence of DNA bases in a gene which produces a genetic variant
What can mutations sometimes lead to
Changes in the protein that codes for
What affect the most mutations have
Very little or no effects on a protein and function and appearance is unaffected
How can some mutations seriously affect a protein
Can code for an alteredprotein which changes its shape and could affect its ability to perform its function
If the shape of an enzymes active site has changed the substrate may no longer bind to it
Structural proteins like collagen could lose their strength if the shape is changed making them useless are providing structure and support
What happens if there is a mutation in non-coding DNA
Can alter how genes are expressed
What is an insertion in DNA
We’re a new base is inserted into a sequence where it shouldn’t be
What are deletion
When random bases deleted from the DNA sequence
What is insertions and deletions do for the DNA
Alter the way the base sequence is read
What is substitution
When a random base in DNA sequence is changed to a different base
