Mutations in Genetics

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms related to mutations in genetics, including definitions and explanations of various types of mutations and their effects.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that can affect a single base or involve the loss or gain of an entire chromosome.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences, helping to initiate and regulate the transcription of genes.

Gene

A segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a specific protein.

Fitness

The reproductive success of a genotype, measured by the number of offspring who survive to reproductive age.

Somatic Mutation

A mutation that occurs in somatic (non-germline) cells and cannot be passed to the next generation.

Germline Mutation

A mutation that occurs in a germ cell (egg or sperm) and can be passed down to offspring.

Point Mutation

A mutation that involves a change in a single nucleotide base in the DNA sequence.

Synonymous Mutation

A type of point mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein.

Non-synonymous Mutation

A type of point mutation that changes the amino acid sequence of a protein.

Truncation Mutation

A mutation that results in a premature stop codon in the protein coding sequence.

Insertion Mutation

A mutation involving the addition of one or more nucleotide bases to the DNA sequence.

Deletion Mutation

A mutation involving the loss of one or more nucleotide bases from the DNA sequence.

Nonsense Mutated Transcript

An mRNA transcript that is prematurely truncated due to a mutation, often resulting in loss of function.

Anthropogenic Evolution

Evolution that occurs as a consequence of human activity, contrary to the concept of directed evolution.

Regulatory Sequence Mutation

Mutations in DNA sequences that control the expression of a gene, potentially changing its expression level.