01b - DNA Mutations

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid

What does DNA do?

The molecule that carries genetic information in all living organisms.

Nucleotide

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

Sugar in DNA

Deoxyribose, the sugar component of DNA nucleotides.

Phosphate group

Part of a nucleotide that links adjacent nucleotides together, forming the backbone of DNA.

Nitrogenous bases

The components of nucleotides that include Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G).

Base pairing

The specific pairing of nitrogenous bases: Adenine with Thymine, and Cytosine with Guanine in DNA.

Gene

A segment of DNA that codes for proteins.

Phenotype

The observable traits of an organism, which are determined by the proteins coded by the genes.

Transcription

The process of copying DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus.

mRNA

Messenger RNA, a type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.

Translation

The process where mRNA is translated into a protein at the ribosome.

tRNA

Transfer RNA, which helps to decode the mRNA sequence into a protein by bringing the appropriate amino acids.

Mutation

A permanent change in the DNA sequence that can alter protein structure and function.

Germ cell mutation

A mutation that occurs in sperm or egg cells and can be passed to offspring.

Somatic cell mutation

A mutation occurring in body cells that cannot be transmitted to offspring.

Positive mutation

A beneficial mutation that provides a survival advantage to an organism.

Negative mutation

A harmful mutation that reduces an organism's chances of survival or reproduction.

Neutral mutation

A mutation that has no effect on the phenotype of an organism.

External causes of mutations

Environmental factors such as radiation, chemicals, and viruses that can lead to mutations.

Internal causes of mutations

Errors that occur during DNA replication that can result in mutations.