4 Genetics - Mutations

Question 1

What is a mutation?

Answer 1

A change in the sequence of nucleotides, ultimately leading to a different protein being formed

Question 2

What types of mutation are there?

Answer 2

• base deletion
• base substitution

Question 3

What are base deletion mutations?

Answer 3

• this occurs when the bases are not read correctly, results in one base not being included in the transcribed mRNA
• this may cause a frameshift.

Question 4

What is a frameshift?

Answer 4

• a shift in the way that codons are read, this may result in a different polypeptide chain being produced, however this is not always applicable due to the degenerate nature of DNA

Question 5

What is a silent mutation?