Genetic Mutation Notes

Mutation: Any change or random error in a DNA sequence

- Mutations can exist in reproductive cells and can therefore be
passed on to offspring
- Mutations can also occur in body cells, and while its not
passed on to the offspring, can impair the functioning of the
cell and can cause problems for the individual (example:
cancer)

Types of mutations:
1. Point Mutation: a change in a single base pair in DNA
- A change in a single nitrogen base can change the entire
structure of a protein because a change in a single amino acid
can affect the shape of the protein.
- Less harmful to organisms than frameshift mutations because
they disrupt only a single codon.

2. Frameshift Mutation: a type of mutation in which a single base is

added or deleted from DNA
- This new sequence would then be transcribed into mRNA. But
the mRNA would be out of position by one base. As a result,
every codon after the deleted base would be different. This
mutation would cause nearly every amino acid in the protein
after the deletion or addition to be changed.

Chromosomal Mutations
Deletion: part of the
chromosome is left
out

Duplication: segment of
a chromosome is
repeated

Inversion: chromosome
becomes orientated in
the reverse of its usual
direction
Translocation: part of
the chromosome
breaks off and attaches
to another
- Few chromosome mutations are passed on to the next generation because
the zygote usually dies. In cases where the zygote survives, it is often sterile
and thus incapable of producing offspring.
Causes of Mutations
- Any agent that can cause a change in DNA is called a mutagen.
Mutagens include high energy radiation, chemicals, and even high
temperatures.