9,11,12,13,14 Genetics & Genetic Mutations

Study.com College Biology 101

Complementary DNA Sequences

Can be determined based on an understanding of complementary base pairs. For this to occur, the base pairs on each strand of DNA must line up in a complementary way.

Mutagen

This term refers to factors found in the environment that can result in mutations.

Point Mutation

These mutations impact small areas on a strand of DNA, thereby only changing that portion of an individual's genetic sequence.

Effects of the process of crossing over on Mendels 2nd Law

Crossing over can impact this genetic law, aka Mendels law of independent assortment, when a gene exchanged during the process carries another gene located nearby on the same chromosome with it.

Mendels 2nd Law

This genetic law tells us that alleles on one gene will sort without the influence of alleles that exist on other genes. It's also called the law of independent assortment.

Genotype

This refers to the pieces of DNA that determine an organism's phenotype.

Ways to cause multiple mutations in a lifeform

Applying strong chemicals Providing exposure to UV light Carrying out x-ray exposure

Limits on mRNA framework mutation

This mutation doesn't occur if the cell is a single amino acid, one codon, a string of three amino acids or an amount of amino acids in a factor of three being impacted.

Vectors

This term refers to the vehicle in genetic engineering that moves various genetic material into the chosen host organism.

Sex Chromosomes

The chromosomes specifically used to determine sex in a large number of organisms.

Gene Expression

The way the characteristics of our genes are expressed through the physical traits we display.

Sex-Linked Mutations

This occurs when a mutated phenotype appears on an X chromosome. Females are able to carry this mutation without it appearing, but in males it will be expressed.

Complementary Base Pairings

Occur because bases only interact with one other specific base; specifically, adenine associates with thymine and cytosine with guanine. These pairs always go together, e.g. AT (TA) and CG (GC).

Meiosis II

Meiosis second division. Chromatids from a cell's chromosomes get equally segregated into daughter cells in this process. Mother and daughter cells end up with the same number of chromosomes.

Nonsense Mutations in mRNA

A mutation that always replaces a codon with a stop codon. This will lead to early polypeptide termination, which can result in the production of truncated proteins.

Phenotype

You use this term when speaking about the physical characteristics caused by an organism's unique genetics.

Meiosis: Stages

This process has two stages, I and II. Each one includes chromosome duplication. This ends with the production of daughter cells.

Mutation (in genetics)

We use this term to refer to changes in the nucleotide sequence of DNA, whether they are small or large.

Alleles

This genetic factor impacts true breeding and influences dominant and recessive traits. It can be described as variations of genes.

Linked Genes

We use this term to refer to genes that can be found on the same chromosome.

Gametes

These are reproductive cells. In humans, they have half the number of chromosomes as the rest of our cells. This means they have 23 chromosomes.

Repression

This term is used to refer to decreases in the transcription of genes.

Transversion Mutation

A type of mutation that occurs when one nitrogenous base is swapped for a different kind of nitrogenous base, such as if thymine were swapped with adenine.

Base Substitution

An event that occurs when one base is swapped for another in a DNA strand. This can result in nonsense, silent and missense mutations.

mRNA Frameshift Mutation

A type of mutation that happens when a DNA sequence has base pairs that are deleted or inserted. This can occur if two bases are removed.

When DNA mutates

this part of the genetic code is affected next

Functional purpose of transcriptional regulation

This type of regulation can allow prokaryotic cells to quickly react to changes in nutrients.

Codominance in Alleles

This occurs when both alleles for a trait are dominant. Organisms with multiple dominant alleles will express the traits of both alleles in this case.

Metaphase

The third step in the mitosis process. Chromosomes line up along the metaphase plate in this stage.

Induction

You can use this term when talking about increases in the amount of gene transcription.

Meiosis

This kind of cellular division is specialized in order to result in the production of the gamete cells used in sexual reproduction.

Insertion Mutation

This occurs when an extra segment of nucleotides is added to genetic code. This kind of mutation doesn't cause a frameshift if the added string is three nucleotides long, or is a factor of three.

Possible effects of base substitution mutations

Mutations of this type might result in changes to gene expression. These changes are not as severe as a frameshift mutation.

Phases of Mitosis: Order

Prophase Prometaphase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase

Effects of an mRNA base substitution mutation

This type of mutation typically results in errors during translation, such as the addition of an improper amino acid.