DNA - Mutations Flashcards Preview

Honors Biology > DNA - Mutations > Flashcards

Flashcards in DNA - Mutations Deck (5)
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1
Q

mutations

A
  • changes in the genetic material

- any change that occurs in DNA

2
Q

significance of mutations

A
  • most mutations are neutral, meaning they have little or no effect on the expression of genes or the function of proteins
  • this is shown wen the third base in the codon is changed but the codon still codons for the correct amino acid. this is called the wobble effect
  • defective proteins can be produced that disrupt normal biological activities
3
Q

point mutations

A
  • occur at a single point in the DNA sequence

- involve changes in just one or a few nucleotides

4
Q

frameshift mutations

A
  • when the reading frame is shifted one direction or the other due to an insertion or deletion, a frameshift mutation has taken place
  • this can disrupt the sequence of mutations
5
Q

good with the bad

A
  • harmful mutations are the cause of many genetic disorders
  • mutations are also the source of genetic variability in a species
  • some mutations are actually beneficial
  • mutations early in development can cause major problems because then all the new cells will have that mutation

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