Types of Mutations Flashcards
What is a mutation?
A mutation is a mistake that happens as DNA is copied, causing a change to the base sequence.
What is a mutagen?
A mutagen is factors that cause a mutation.
What is a carcinogen?
A mutagen that can lead to cancer.
What is a silent (point) mutation?
A silent mutation changes occur when a single base on the DNA strand is changed but this does not affect anything.
What is a missense mutation?
A missense mutation changes the entire protein produced. The protein may not function well and cause disease. It causes sickle-cell anaemia.
What is a nonsense mutation?
A nonsense mutation causes the cells to stop reading the information on the gene before its end. The protein created can not function at all. It causes Cystic fibrosis and beta-thalassemia.
What is a frameshift mutation?
A frameshift mutation causes the insertion or deletion of one or more bases. This causes all information following to be jumbled so it can’t be read as a protein. This causes severe genetic mutations such as Tay-Sachs disease.
