Genetic Foundations Flashcards
(15 cards)
Mutation
Heritable change in the DNA of an organism
Mutant
A term used to describe the organisms with a genetic mutation that is expressed phenotypically.
Point Mutation
Substitution of a single base
Missense Mutation
In the DNA a different base is inserted. A different amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide. Effect of the missense mutation depends on how chemically different the mutation is from the original. The location of the changed amino acid is also important. If the mutation is induced under certain environmental conditions then it’s called a conditional mutation.
Nonsense Mutation
A mutation that results in a codon being switched out with a stop codon. Results in shorter polypeptide chains and non-functional proteins typically.
Insertion vs Deletion
Insertion: Mutations that result in the addition of a base
Deletion: Mutations that result in the deletion of a base
Silent Mutation
A mutation that has no effect on the gene expression because the protein that was synthesized is the same as the protein with the original genetic code. Single base is affected.
frameshift mutation
Codon
A sequence of three nucleotides in the form of mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid during protein synthesis.
Nucleotide Base
The nucleotide bases are GCAT for DNA.
The nucleotide bases for RNA are GCAU.
Mutagens
Chemical, radiation, or insertions of transposons that can result in drastic mutation rates. (10-1000x). Also known as carcinogens. All carcinogens are mutagenic in nature but not all mutagens are carcinogenic.
Microlesions
Base pair substitutions, small insertions/deletions
Macrolesions
Large deletions, insertions, duplications, or inversions
Chemical Mutagens
Difference between transposon and chemical mutagenesis and UVA mutagen
