DNA Mutations

• Mutations are changes in the DNA base sequence, which can be caused by spontaneous changes in our cells or by carcinogens like cigarette smoke and certain types of radiation.
• Mutations are changes in the DNA base sequence, which can be caused by spontaneous changes in our cells or by carcinogens like cigarette smoke and certain types of radiation.
• Each group of 3 bases in DNA is called a triplet or a codon, which codes for one of the 20 different amino acids.
• Each group of 3 bases in DNA is called a triplet or a codon, which codes for one of the 20 different amino acids.
• By arranging all of the codons in the correct order, we create a long chain of amino acids which can fold up by itself to form a protein.
• A change in a codon due to a mutation can alter the amino acid that it codes for, which can have knock-on effects on the protein that it ends up forming.
• Mutations can affect the sequence of amino acids, changing the shape or function of the protein.
• Most mutations occur in non-coding DNA which isn't part of any gene and doesn't code for protein.
• Most mutations occur in non-coding DNA which isn't part of any gene and doesn't code for protein.
• Some non-coding DNA plays an important role in the expression of genes, for example, turning genes on or off.
• Some non-coding DNA plays an important role in the expression of genes, for example, turning genes on or off.
• The three specific types of mutations are substitutions, insertions, and deletions.
• The three specific types of mutations are substitutions, insertions, and deletions.
• In a substitution mutation, one of the bases is changed or substituted for another random base.
• Substitution mutations are when one of the bases is changed or substituted for another random base.
• An insertion mutation is when an extra base is inserted into the sequence somewhere.
• Insertion mutations are when an extra base is inserted into the sequence somewhere.
• A deletion mutation is when one of the bases is deleted from a sequence.
• Deletion mutations are when one of the bases is deleted from a sequence.