What is a possible consequence of a single nucleotide addition to the DNA used to generate a protein?
The addition of a single nucleotide to the DNA sequence causes a frameshift mutation. In a frameshift mutation all of the amino acids before the shift are changed. A mutation that changes a single nucleotide can result in a different amino acid being added into a protein.
Is it true that mutations can occur in both DNA and RNA?
Any mutations in DNA are forever, since DNA is the master blueprint. All mutations will be passed onto new cells through DNA replication, and all RNA made from that DNA will also have the mutation.
What are some of the possible consequences of mutations in DNA replication?
By the same token, any random change in a gene’s DNA is likely to result in a protein that does not function normally or may not function at all. Such mutations are likely to be harmful. Harmful mutations may cause genetic disorders or cancer. A genetic disorder is a disease caused by a mutation in one or a few genes.
What are the two general and common ways that mutations occur in a DNA sequence?
Two major categories of mutations are germline mutations and somatic mutations.
- Germline mutations occur in gametes. These mutations are especially significant because they can be transmitted to offspring and every cell in the offspring will have the mutation.
- Somatic mutations occur in other cells of the body.
What would happen if one of the nucleotides in DNA got switched with another?
This occurs when one nucleotide base is substituted for another in a DNA sequence. The change can cause the wrong amino acid to be produced. In some cases, the change has little effect. In other cases, the incorrect amino acid can affect the structure or function of the protein being encoded.
What is deletion mutation in DNA and RNA?
A deletion mutation occurs when a wrinkle forms on the DNA template strand and subsequently causes a nucleotide to be omitted from the replicated strand (Figure 3). Figure 3: In a deletion mutation, a wrinkle forms on the DNA template strand, which causes a nucleotide to be omitted from the replicated strand.
Can there be mutations in RNA?
RNA viruses have high mutation rates—up to a million times higher than their hosts—and these high rates are correlated with enhanced virulence and evolvability, traits considered beneficial for viruses.
What happens when DNA replication goes wrong?
When Replication Errors Become Mutations. Incorrectly paired nucleotides that still remain following mismatch repair become permanent mutations after the next cell division. This is because once such mistakes are established, the cell no longer recognizes them as errors.