Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Mutations PDF
Mutations PDF
in DNA
A mutation is a permanent change in the sequence of base pairs in the DNA that makes up a gene. A mutation may involve just one nucleotide or it may affect a large section of the gene / chromosome. Some mutations cause damage, while others do not.
Causes of mutations
A mutation may be
caused by an error in DNA replication.
A mutation may be
caused by external inuences - exposure to certain chemicals or radiation. DNA breaks down and the cell may not repair it correctly.
Nucleotide mutations
Mutations in a single nucleotide: Normal DNA: Normal mRNA: TAC TTG GCA TCC TTG ACT AUG AAC CGU AGG AAC UGA Normal Amino Acids: START - asn - arg - arg - asn - STOP
TAC TTA GCA TCC TTG ACT AUG AAU CGU AGG AAC UGA START - asn - arg - arg - asn - STOP
TAC TTT GCA TCC TTG ACT AUG AAA CGU AGG AAC UGA START - lys - arg - arg - asn - STOP
Chromosome mutations
An example of a chromosome mutation: Trisomy of chromosome pair 21 causing Down Syndrome.
Environmental inuence
Phenotype is the product of
interactions between genotype and the environment. white but within weeks, the fur on its ears, tail and lower legs is black. environment might inuence how DNA is expressed in this example.