Bio- Mutations

Types of Mutations

• heritable changes of genetic info

• two categories

  • Gene

  • Chromosomal

Gene Mutations

• change in single nucleotide

• point mutations

• 3 types of point mutations

  • insertion

  • deletion

  • substitution

Point Mutations

• Substitutions- one base is changed to a different one

• Insertion- single extra base is added into the code

• Deletion- single base is removed from the code

Chromosomal Mutations

• deletion- one removed

• duplication- more is added

• inversion- reverses direction

• translocation- part of a chromosome breaks off and attaches to another

Effects of Mutations

• can harm, help, or have no effect

• some form from mutagens

  • mutagen- chemical or physical agents in the environment

Harmful Effects

• most harmful ore ones that dramatically change protein structure or gene activity

• ex: sickle cell which affects the shape of red blood cells

Beneficial Effects

• produce proteins with new or altered functions

• can be useful for organisms in different or changing environments