Mutations

• What is the main focus of the video on DNA structure and protein synthesis?


  How a change in DNA structure may result in a change in the protein synthesized by a gene
• What determines the amino acid sequence of a protein?


  The base sequence of a gene
• What happens to a protein once it is formed?


  It folds into a unique shape
• How does the shape of a protein relate to its function?


  The shape of a protein determines its function
• What is a mutation?


  A change to a base in the DNA sequence
• Do mutations occur frequently?

  Yes, mutations happen all the time
• What can happen when a single base in a DNA sequence changes?


  It may or may not change the amino acid sequence
• What is the result of a mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence?


  The protein's shape and function remain unchanged
• What can a mutation that changes the amino acid sequence do?


  It can alter the shape and function of the protein
• How might a mutation affect an enzyme's active site?


  It may change the shape so it can no longer bind to the substrate
• What happens if a mutation affects a structural protein like collagen?


  It may lose its strength
• What do chromosomes contain besides coding DNA?


  Non-coding parts of DNA
• What is the role of non-coding regions of DNA?


  They switch genes on and off
• What can mutations in non-coding regions affect?


  How genes are switched on or off
• What could happen if a gene is turned on when it should be off?


  The cell may produce a protein it is not meant to have at that time
• What is a potential consequence of uncontrolled mitosis due to mutations?


  It can lead to cancer
• What should students remember about mutations for their revision?

  • Mutations are changes to the DNA sequence.
  • Most mutations have no effect on protein function.
  • Some mutations can dramatically alter protein shape and function.
  • Non-coding DNA mutations can affect gene regulation.
  • Uncontrolled mitosis from mutations can lead to cancer.