Mutations

Mutation

Any change in genetic information.

Nondisjunction

Mistake in meiosis during chromosome separation.

Thymine dimers

Covalent bonds formed between adjacent thymine bases due to UV radiation.

DNA adducts

Chemical compounds that bind to DNA, disrupting normal functions.

Gene Mutations

Mutations that affect the nucleotide sequence of protein-coding DNA.

Point mutation

A mutation that changes only one base in the DNA sequence.

Silent mutation

A mutation that does not change the resulting amino acid, having no noticeable effect.

Missense mutation

A mutation that changes one amino acid, producing a protein with a different function.

Nonsense mutation

A mutation that causes an early stop codon, shortening the protein and resulting in no function.

Frameshift mutation

A mutation involving the addition or removal of bases, altering the reading frame of mRNA.

Chromosomal Mutations

Mutations that may affect whole chromosomes, leading to monosomy or trisomy.

Monosomy

A condition where there is too little genetic material, leading to insufficient genetic instructions.

Trisomy

A condition where there is too much genetic material, causing additional stress on protein synthesis.

Deletion mutation

A mutation where a section of the chromosome is lost, resulting in the loss of genetic information.

Duplication mutation

A mutation where a section of the chromosome is copied twice, resulting in additional genetic information.

Inversion mutation

A mutation where a section of the chromosome is reversed, causing genes to be read backwards.

Translocation mutation

A mutation involving the swapping of parts between two non-homologous chromosomes.

Insertion mutation

A mutation where part of one chromosome is added to another, often due to chromosome breakage.

Environmental mutagens

External factors that disrupt DNA structure and can cause mutations.

Gene dosage

The amount of gene product produced; can be affected by chromosomal mutations.

Transposons

Segments of DNA that can move around in the genome, sometimes causing mutations.