DNA and Mutations flashcard

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What is DNA?

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DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life. It is composed of two strands that coil around each other to form a double helix.

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What is a mutation?

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A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that can lead to changes in the structure and function of proteins.

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What are the types of mutations?

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The main types of mutations are substitution, insertion, deletion, and translocation.

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What is a substitution mutation?

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A substitution mutation occurs when one base pair in the DNA sequence is replaced by another, potentially altering the resulting protein.

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What is an insertion mutation?

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An insertion mutation involves the addition of one or more nucleotide base pairs into a DNA sequence, which can disrupt the reading frame.

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What is a deletion mutation?

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A deletion mutation occurs when one or more nucleotide base pairs are removed from a DNA sequence, which can also disrupt the reading frame.

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What is translocation in genetics?

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Translocation is a mutation where a segment of DNA is moved from one location to another, which can affect gene expression.

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What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?

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mRNA (messenger RNA) carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized.

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What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

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DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose and thymine, while RNA contains the sugar ribose and uracil instead of thymine.

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What is the significance of uracil in RNA?

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Uracil replaces thymine in RNA and pairs with adenine during the transcription process.