Mutation

Mutation

A change or variation in a gene that can be neutral, harmful, or beneficial.

Somatic mutation

A mutation that occurs in body cells and can lead to diseases like cancer.

Germ-line mutation

A mutation in germ cells (egg and sperm) that can be passed on to offspring.

Large-scale mutations

Mutations involving deletions or chromosomal rearrangements that affect important species traits.

Small-scale mutations

Point mutations involving changes to one or a few nucleotides, often neutral or non-functional.

Silent mutation

A nucleotide-pair substitution that changes the DNA sequence without altering the protein.

Missense mutation

A mutation that changes the DNA sequence and results in a change in the amino acid sequence.

Nonsense mutation

A mutation that introduces a new stop codon, leading to an incomplete and usually nonfunctional protein.

Frameshift mutation

A mutation caused by insertions or deletions that change the reading frame of the DNA sequence.

Point mutation

A small mutation that typically affects one or two nucleotides in the DNA sequence.

Mutagen

An environmental agent, such as radiation or chemicals, that can cause mutations.

Carcinogen

A substance capable of causing cancer by inducing mutations.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme responsible for synthesizing DNA during cell division, which can introduce errors.

Failed transposition

A failure in the process where 'jumping genes' move within or between genomes, potentially causing mutations.

Environmental causes of mutations

External factors like radiation or chemicals that can induce genetic changes.

Nucleotide-pair insertion

The addition of one or two nucleotides, which can lead to frameshift mutations.

Nucleotide-pair deletion

The removal of one or two nucleotides that results in a frameshift mutation.

Genetic code wobble

The phenomenon where the 3rd nucleotide in a codon can vary without affecting the amino acid produced.

Early stop codon

A premature termination signal in the protein synthesis caused by nonsense mutations.

Cellular causes of mutations

Intrinsic factors within a cell, such as failed DNA repair mechanisms that lead to mutations.

Radiation

Energy emitted in the form of waves or particles that can cause mutations, such as UV light or X-rays.

Hazardous chemicals

Toxic substances that can induce mutations, including certain carcinogens.

Viruses

Infectious agents that can integrate their DNA into host genomes and potentially cause mutations.

Change to a gene

The alteration in the genetic material that can result from mutations.

Protein coding

The process by which genes are transcribed and translated to produce proteins.

Chromosomal rearrangements

Structural changes in chromosomes that can lead to large scale mutations.

Gene variation

Differences in genes among individuals, often caused by mutations.

Cancer

A disease caused by mutations that lead to uncontrolled cell growth.

Evolutionary effects of mutations

Changes in genetic variations that can be acted upon by natural selection over time.

Synonymous mutation

A term synonymous with silent mutation, where the amino acid remains unchanged.

Amino acid sequence

The order of amino acids in a protein, which determines its structure and function.

Change in mRNA

The alteration of messenger RNA as a result of mutation, which can affect protein synthesis.

Protein function

The biological activity of proteins which can be altered by base pair changes.

Genetic variability

The diversity in gene frequencies that can be caused by mutations.

Uracil

A nitrogenous base found in RNA, replacing thymine as in DNA.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using mRNA.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that encodes a specific amino acid.

Base pair substitution

A mutation where one nucleotide is replaced by another.

Repeat expansion

A type of mutation that occurs when a small segment of DNA is repeated multiple times.

Phenotype

The physical and physiological traits of an organism, influenced by its genotype and environment.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual organism.

DNA repair enzymes

Proteins that correct DNA mistakes during replication and damage repair.

Genetic diversity

The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.

Selection pressure

Environmental factors that cause differential survival and reproduction of individuals.