Mutations

• What is the focus of this video lesson?

  How DNA structure changes affect protein synthesis
• 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 determines the protein's function
• What is a mutation?

  A change to a base in DNA
• How often do mutations occur?

  Mutations happen all the time
• What can happen when a single base in a gene changes?

  It may or may not change the amino acid sequence
• What is the effect of some mutations on protein function?

  Most mutations have no effect on function
• What happens if a mutation changes the amino acid sequence?

  The shape of the protein may change
• How can a mutation affect an enzyme's active site?

  It may change the shape, preventing substrate binding
• What can happen if a structural protein like collagen is mutated?

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

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

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

  How genes are switched on or off
• What is a potential consequence of uncontrolled mitosis due to mutations?

  It could lead to cancer
• What could happen if a gene is turned on when it should be off?

  The cell may produce an unwanted protein
• What are the key ideas about mutations and protein synthesis?

  • Mutations are changes to DNA bases.
  • They can affect amino acid sequences.
  • Most mutations have no effect on protein function.
  • Some mutations can dramatically alter protein shape and function.
  • Non-coding DNA regions regulate gene expression.
  • Mutations in these regions can lead to significant cellular effects.