Mutations

Question 1

what is a mutation?

Answer 1

• a change to the nucleotide sequence of DNA

Question 2

when is a mutation likely to take place?

Answer 2

• during interphase

Question 3

when do mutations happen?

Answer 3

• they are sponatenous mutations made when replicating DNA (interphase)

Question 4

what is a substitution mutation?

Answer 4

• One base is swapped for another

Question 5

what is an insertion mutation?

Answer 5

• an extra base is added

Question 6

what is a deletion mutation?

Answer 6

• A base is removed

Question 7

what impact does a substitution have on the amino acid sequence?

Answer 7

• no change
• if does have an impact, change a single amino acid

Question 8

what impact does a Insertion and deletion have on the amino acid sequence?

Answer 8

• frame shift - all the following triplet in the sequence are affected

Question 9

what does neutral mean?

Answer 9

• has no effect on the function of the polypeptide
• no effect on fitness of the organism

Question 10

what does it mean a mutation is advantegous?

Answer 10

• causes a change that improves the function of the polypeptide
• high chances of survival and reproduction
• e.g. make active site more complementary to substrate

Question 11

what does it mean a mutation is harmful?

Answer 11

• cause a change that makes a non- function protein
• low changes of survival and reproduction
  e.g. cystic fibrosis/ CTFR