Topic 3 - Mutations

Question 1

What are mutations?

Answer 1

Random changes that occur in a gene or chromosome

Question 2

How are mutations impactful?

Answer 2

• They can cause an alteration in the base pair sequences
• if the sequence is different it could code for a different amino acid
• this could lead to a different protein being made that won’t carry out its usual function or work differently causing the body to behave differently

Question 3

Why can mutations be passed on?

Answer 3

It’s contained in the DNA meaning it can be passed on for generations

Question 4

What is a dominant allele?

Answer 4

An allele that masks the recessive trait

Question 5

What’s a recessive trait?

Answer 5

A trait that can be present but you won’t see it

Question 6

What is homozygous?

Answer 6

When both alleles are the same (YY or yy)

Question 7

What is heterozygous?

Answer 7

When alleles are different (Yy or Bb)

Question 8

What is phenotype?

Answer 8

The physical appearance of an organism

Question 9

What’s a genotype?

Answer 9

The genetic letters that represent the alleles of the organism