Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Recombination

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to gene mutations, DNA repair mechanisms, and recombination processes.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence of an organism.

Point Mutation

A mutation that affects a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence.

Homologous Recombination

A process where two similar or identical strands of DNA exchange genetic information.

Base Substitution

A type of point mutation where one base is replaced by another.

Transition

A type of base substitution mutation that occurs between two purines or two pyrimidines.

Transversion

A mutation that involves the interchange of a purine and a pyrimidine.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by the insertion or deletion of nucleotides that disrupts the reading frame of the genetic code.

Silent Mutation

A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of the resulting polypeptide.

Missense Mutation

A mutation that results in a change to one amino acid in the polypeptide chain.

Nonsense Mutation

A mutation that converts an amino acid codon into a stop codon.

Germ-line Mutation

A mutation that occurs in germ cells and can be passed on to offspring.

Somatic Mutation

A mutation that occurs in somatic cells and is not inherited by offspring.

Induced Mutation

A mutation caused by environmental factors, such as chemicals or radiation.

Mutation Rate

The frequency at which mutations occur in a given gene over time.

Base Excision Repair (BER)

A DNA repair process that removes and replaces damaged or non-canonical bases.

Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER)

A repair mechanism that removes bulky DNA lesions like thymine dimers.

Mismatch Repair

A repair system that corrects base pairing errors that occur during DNA replication.

Translesion Synthesis

A DNA damage tolerance process that allows the DNA replication machinery to replicate past DNA lesions.

Ames Test

A test that assesses the mutagenic potential of chemical compounds by measuring their ability to cause mutations in bacteria.

Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion (TNRE)

A mutation where the number of copies of a specific trinucleotide sequence increases, often associated with genetic disorders.

Holliday Junction

A structure formed during homologous recombination involving the exchange of DNA strands.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence of an organism.

Point Mutation

A mutation that affects a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence.

Homologous Recombination

A process where two similar or identical strands of DNA exchange genetic information.

Base Substitution

A type of point mutation where one base is replaced by another.

Transition

A type of base substitution mutation that occurs between two purines or two pyrimidines.

Transversion

A mutation that involves the interchange of a purine and a pyrimidine.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by the insertion or deletion of nucleotides that disrupts the reading frame of the genetic code.

Silent Mutation

A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of the resulting polypeptide.

Missense Mutation

A mutation that results in a change to one amino acid in the polypeptide chain.

Nonsense Mutation

A mutation that converts an amino acid codon into a stop codon.

Germ-line Mutation

A mutation that occurs in germ cells and can be passed on to offspring.

Somatic Mutation

A mutation that occurs in somatic cells and is not inherited by offspring.

Induced Mutation

A mutation caused by environmental factors, such as chemicals or radiation.

Mutation Rate

The frequency at which mutations occur in a given gene over time.

Base Excision Repair (BER)

A DNA repair process that removes and replaces damaged or non-canonical bases.

Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER)

A repair mechanism that removes bulky DNA lesions like thymine dimers.

Mismatch Repair

A repair system that corrects base pairing errors that occur during DNA replication.

Translesion Synthesis

A DNA damage tolerance process that allows the DNA replication machinery to replicate past DNA lesions.

Ames Test

A test that assesses the mutagenic potential of chemical compounds by measuring their ability to cause mutations in bacteria.

Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion (TNRE)

A mutation where the number of copies of a specific trinucleotide sequence increases, often associated with genetic disorders.

Holliday Junction

A structure formed during homologous recombination involving the exchange of DNA strands.