Mutation

1. Point Mutation

  • What it is: A single change in a base (like a single letter in the DNA).

  • Key Idea: A tiny change that could impact one part of the protein.

2. Substitution Mutation

  • What it is: A switch between two bases.

  • Key Idea: One base is swapped for another, changing one amino acid in the protein.

3. Insertion Mutation

  • What it is: Extra bases are added into the DNA.

  • Key Idea: Extra letters are inserted, which shifts the entire sequence and can mess up the protein.

4. Deletion Mutation

  • What it is: Bases are removed from the DNA.

  • Key Idea: Missing letters in the DNA can shift everything, causing the protein to change.

5. Frameshift Mutation

  • What it is: Insertion or deletion of one or more bases that shifts the entire reading frame.

  • Key Idea: Changes everything after the mutation, like reading a sentence out of order.

6. Duplication Mutation

  • What it is: A section of DNA gets copied and repeated.

  • Key Idea: Extra copies of a gene or part of the DNA.

7. Inversion Mutation

  • What it is: A section of DNA gets flipped around.

  • Key Idea: The order of parts of the DNA changes, which could affect the gene's function.

8. Null Mutation

  • What it is: The gene is completely broken and no longer works.

  • Key Idea: The gene does nothing anymore; it's like deleting the instruction manual.

9. Knockdown

  • What it is: The gene’s activity is reduced, but not totally gone.

  • Key Idea: The gene still works, but less, like turning down the volume.

10. Knockout

  • What it is: The gene is completely removed or inactivated.

  • Key Idea: The gene is entirely gone or turned off, like deleting it from the instruction manual.

11. Conservative Mutation

  • What it is: A change in the amino acid that doesn’t change the protein much because it’s similar.

  • Key Idea: The new amino acid behaves similarly to the old one.

12. Non-Conservative Mutation

  • What it is: A change in the amino acid that changes the protein’s behavior a lot.

  • Key Idea: The new amino acid is very different, so it affects the protein's function.

13. Loss of Function Mutation

  • What it is: The gene or protein stops working.

  • Key Idea: The gene or protein becomes inactive or doesn't do its job at all.This can lead to various diseases or disorders, as essential biological processes are disrupted.