gene mutations
changes in the DNA sequence of a single gene
mutagens
agents in the environment that can change DNA or increase the frequency
point mutation
a mutation in which one nucleotide is substituted for another
silent mutation
a mutation in that changes a codon but does not change the amino acid
missense mutation
a mutation in which the substitution of the base results in a codon and results in a new amino acid
nonsense mutation
a mutation that results in a stop codon being formed, changing the amino acid
codon
a specific sequence of three consecutive nucleotides (a triplet) in DNA or mRNA that acts as a unit of genetic information
frameshift mutation
a mutation involves the insertion or deletion of one or more nucleotides into codons
neucleotide
the fundamental building blocks of nucleic acids that are crucial for storing genetic information, transferring cellular energy via ATP, and cell signaling
genetic variation
the variety of traits among individuals in a population
gene translocation mutation
a chromosomal mutation, in which a segment of one chromosome moves to another chromosome
nondisjunction mutation
a mutation in which one or more homologous chromosomes do not separate during anaphase of meiosis
