8.1 The alteration of the sequence of bases in DNA can alter the structure of proteins

What is a gene mutation?

• a change in the base sequence of DNA (on chromosomes)

• can arise spontaneously during DNA replication (interphase)

What is a mutagenic agent?

A factor that increase rate of mutation, e.g. ultraviolet (UV) light or alpha particles

Explain how a gene mutation can lead to the production of a non-functional protein or enzyme (general)

1. changes sequence of base triplets in DNA so changes sequence of codons on mRNA

2. so changes sequence of amino acids in encoded polypeptide

3. so changes position of hydrogen / ionic / disulphide bonds (between amino acids)

4. so changes tertiary structure (shape) of protein

5. enzymes - active site changes shape so substrate can’t bind, enzyme-substrate complex can’t form

Describe the different types of gene mutations

Substitution - a base / nucleotide is replaced by a different base / nucleotide in DNA

Addition - 1 or more bases / nucleotides are added to the DNA base sequence

Deletion - 1 or more bases / nucleotides are lost from the DNA base sequence

Duplication - A sequence of DNA bases / nucleotides is repeated / copied

Inversion - a sequence of DNA bases / nucleotides detaches from the DNA sequence, then rejoins at the same position in the reverse order

Translocation - a sequence of DNA bases / nucleotides detaches and is inserted at a different location within the same or a different chromosome

Explain why not all gene mutations affect the order of amino acids

• some substitutions change only 1 triplet code / codon which could still code for the same amino acid

• → as the genetic code is degenerate (an amino acid can be coded for by more than one triplet)

• some occur in introns which do not code for amino acids as they are removed during splicing

Explain why a change in amino acid sequence is not always harmful

• may not change tertiary structure of protein (if position of ionic / disulphide / H bonds don’t change)

• may positively change the properties of the protein, giving the organism a selective advantage

Explain what is meant by a frame shift

• occurs when mutations (addition, deletion, duplication or translocation) change the number of nucleotides / bases by a number not divisible by 3

• this shifts the way the genetic code is read, so all the DNA triplets / mRNA codons downstream from the mutation change (so significant effects)

Explain how mutations can lead to production of shorter polypeptides

• deletion or translocation → triplet(s) / codon(s) missing so amino acid(s) missing

• substitution, addition, deletion, duplication, inversion or translocation → premature stop triplet / codon (doesn’t code for amino acids; terminates translation) so amino acids missing at end of polypeptide

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