BIO151 S25 Lecture 19 - DNA Mutations

Translation

The process by which the sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is converted into the sequence of amino acids in a protein.

Stop codons

UAA/UAG/UGA

Codon

A set of three nucleotides on the mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

Anticodon

A three-nucleotide sequence on tRNA that corresponds to a codon on mRNA.

tRNA (Transfer RNA)

Molecule that carries amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis, matching its anticodon with the codon on mRNA.

Mutation

A permanent change in the DNA sequence that can result from errors during DNA replication or damage.

Point Mutation

A mutation affecting a single base pair in the DNA sequence.

Substitution Mutation

A type of point mutation where one base is replaced by another.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation that results from the addition or deletion of a base, shifting the reading frame of codons.

Insertion Mutation

A mutation caused by the addition of one or more bases into the DNA sequence.

Deletion Mutation

A mutation caused by the removal of one or more bases from the DNA sequence.

Mismatch Repair

The process by which specific enzymes correct mismatched bases in DNA after replication.

Nucleotide Excision Repair

A repair mechanism that removes damaged DNA segments and replaces them with correctly synthesized DNA.

Induced Mutation

Mutations caused by external factors such as chemicals or radiation.

Spontaneous Mutation

Mutations that occur naturally without external influences, resulting from internal processes.

Nuclease

An enzyme that cuts DNA to remove damaged portions during nucleotide excision repair.

Proofreading

The process by which DNA polymerase checks for and corrects errors during DNA replication.

Silent Mutation

A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein.

Genetic Variation

The diversity in gene frequencies, which is a result of mutations.

Evolution

The process through which species change over time, partly due to mutations that create genetic variation.