Chapter 2.9 Flashcards
(5 cards)
What is a mutation?
Mutations are changes to DNA sequence, at the gene or chromosomal level.
Simple: genetic mistakes in the DNA sequence.
What is a point mutation?
A point mutation is a mutation at one particular point in the DNA sequence that may have been caused substitution, deletion, or insertion mutation.
What is a mutagenic agent?
A mutagenic agent is a mutagenic..
A mutagen is an agent or factor that can induce or increase the rate of mutations.
Example of mutagens or mutagenic agents?
Temperatures - super high temperatures
Radiation- UV, Gamma, X-rays
Chemicals - lead, Mercury, tanning lotions etc.
What is sickle celled anaemia?
Malaria is a disease found in Africa, Asia and South America which is caused by a parasite which uses a mosquito as its vector and grows in human( it’s host) red blood cells.
The mutation sickle celled anaemia can increase an individual’s resistance to malaria.
- a heterozygous individual to this trait can live and fight against this disease as the parasite is unable to live in the individual’s red blood cells because they sickle and the body attacks and kills the cell.
