Mutations and Genetic Recombinations Flashcards
(28 cards)
Define recombinant DNA.
A molecule of DNA that includes genetic material from different sources.
What is a mutagen?
A substance or event that increases the rate of mutation in an organism.
What are sticky ends?
Short sequences of unpaired nucleotides remaining on a single strand of DNA at each end of a restriction fragment.
What is a mis-sense mutation?
A permanent change that results in a slightly altered but still functional protein.
What is gel electrophoresis used for?
To separate molecules according to their mass and charge.
What are chromosomal mutations?
Mutations that involve a rearrangement of genetic material and may affect several genes.
What are restriction enzymes?
Enzymes in prokaryotes that catalyze the breaking of DNA at specific nucleotide sequences.
Give an example of a physical mutagen.
X-rays.
What is a frameshift mutation?
A permanent change caused by the insertion or deletion of one or two nucleotides that alters the entire reading of the gene.
What is mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)?
DNA within the mitochondria that is genetically identical to that of the female parent.
What are spontaneous mutations?
Permanent changes in genetic material caused by molecular interactions that occur naturally within the cell.
What is a silent mutation?
A permanent change in the genetic material that has no effect on the function of the cell.
What is the role of DNA ligase in recombinant DNA technology?
To splice together DNA fragments after sticky ends have formed base pairs with one another.
What is a mutation?
A permanent change in a cell’s DNA which includes a change in nucleotide sequence, alteration of gene position, gene loss, or duplication and insertion of foreign sequences
All mutations are inheritable and passed on during DNA replication.
What is the endosymbiont theory?
The theory that eukaryotic cells arose through a process where one prokaryote was engulfed by another.
What are physical mutagens?
Agents that can forcibly break a nucleotide sequence, causing random changes in DNA.
Define point mutation.
A permanent change in the genetic material that affects one or just a few nucleotides.
What is a DNA fingerprint?
The pattern of bands formed during gel electrophoresis.
What are chemical mutagens?
Molecules that can induce a permanent change in genetic material by chemically reacting.
What is carcinogenic?
A factor that is cancer-causing and is associated with one or more forms of cancer.
What are somatic cell mutations?
Permanent changes in the genetic material of a body cell that are copied during DNA replication but not passed on to future generations
Key cause of cancer and does not include germ cells.
What is a nonsense mutation?
A permanent change that renders a gene unable to code for a functional protein.
What are germ line mutations?
Permanent changes in the genetic material of a reproductive cell that are passed on to future generations.
What are restriction fragments?
Small segments of DNA cut from a DNA molecule by a restriction endonuclease.
