Bacterial Genetics: Mutations and Repair

Spontaneous Mutations

mutations that occur naturally

Induced mutations

mutations done by humans

Point mutations

changes in a single base pair or insertion or deletion of a base pair

Missense mutation

Changes the amino acid that is encoded

Nonsense Mutation

Changes to stop codon

Silent Muation

Change in codon but no change in amino acid

frameshift mutation

insertion or deletions of bases within a coding region, moves everything over which encodes for new things

Reversions

Mutations that restore a genotype or phenotype

Fidelity

Correct replication of DNA

Fitness

ability to pass genes onto future generations

Mutagen

anything that causes mutation at rates above normal rates

Nucleotide base analogs

chemicals that are structurally similar to DNA bases

Chemical modification DNA bases

alkylations, nitrosations, etc

Intercalating agents

bind between DNA bases and DNA polymerase puts in the wrong base.