Mutation

Question 1

What is a mutation

Answer 1

Random change in genetic material (DNA) of a cell

Question 2

What are the 4 types of mutation based on their effect

Answer 2

Lethal - causes death
Conditional - shows effects only under specific conditions
Loss-of-function
Gain-of-function

Question 3

What is a gene mutation (point mutation) + examples

Answer 3

Change in DNA sequence involving one or a few nucleotides
E.g. Insertion, substitution, deletion etc

Question 4

What is point (substitution) mutation and what are its types

Answer 4

A mutation where one base replaces another in DNA

Silent - no protein change
Missense - changes one amino acid
Nonsense - creates a stop codon

Question 5

What is chromosome mutation + example

Answer 5

Changes in the number or structure of chromosomes
E.g. inversion, deletion, duplication, non-disjunction etc

Question 6

What is non-disjunction and what does it cause

Answer 6

When chromosome fail to separate properly during cell division, so gametes have too many or too few chromosomes

Question 7

What is genetic (gametic) mutation

Answer 7

Mutation in gamete producing cells
Affects every cell in offspring

Question 8

What is a somatic mutation

Answer 8

Mutation in body cells occuring after fertilisation