Genetic Mutuations

Question 1

What is a genetic mutation

Answer 1

This is a change in the genetic code and can occur during the replication of the DNA.

mutations that associated with DNA replication prior mitotic division are somatic mutations and won’t be passed off to offspring, however can be linked with cancerous tumours

Mutations associated with DNA replication that occur prior to meoisis division and gamete formation can be passed off to offspring

Question 2

Types of genetic mutations

Answer 2

Point formation- bases are substituted with one another

Insertion/ deltion (Indel) mutations- where one or more nucleotides would either be inserted or deleted, this can cause a frame shift where every base triplet after the insertion or deletion is altered.

Expanding triple nucelotide - where base triplets are repeating
Some genes contain a repeatinf unit like CAG-CAG-CAG, huntington disease can occur from expanding triple nucleotides
If the repeatinf CAG sequence goes above a critical number, then the person w the genotype is likely to develop huntingtons disease

Question 3

Types of point mutations

Answer 3

Point mutation- base triplets are substituted for one another

Silent- A base triplet is subtituted for another but doesnt create a change to protein as it still codes for the same amino acid

Missense- A point mutation where it now codes for a different amino acid, can change the protein being made.

Nonsense- point mutation that alters the base triplet, creatinf a stop triplet, and unable to function.