Mutations and their effects

• What are the key aspects of mutations to remember?

  • Changes in DNA sequence
  • Can occur spontaneously or be induced
  • Source of genetic variation
• What are the types of numerical chromosomal instability shown in the image?

  • Trisomy (extra chromosome)
  • Monosomy (missing chromosome)
  • Extra set (polyploidy)
  • Large-scale gains
  • Small-scale gains
  • Small-scale losses
• What are the two types of chromosomal mutations?

  • Numerical mutations: Change in chromosome number
  • Structural mutations: Physical alterations to chromosomes
• What are the two main reasons mutations occur?

  Spontaneous and induced mutations
• What are mutagens?

  Chemicals or radiation that cause mutations
• What are induced mutations?

  Mutations triggered by external factors damaging DNA
• What are the characteristics of beneficial mutations?

  • Increases survival chances
  • Increases reproduction chances
  • Example: Antibiotic resistance in bacteria
• What is a factor that causes spontaneous mutations?

  Random errors during DNA replication
• What are the characteristics of neutral mutations?

  • No noticeable effect on the organism
  • Example: Different eye colors
• How do mutations affect an organism's DNA?

  They change the organism's DNA structure
• What are spontaneous mutations?

  Mutations that occur naturally during biological processes
• What is the name of the phenomenon shown in the image?

  Chromosomal mutation
• What are the characteristics of harmful mutations?

  • Reduces survival chances
  • Reduces reproduction chances
  • Example: Cystic fibrosis mutation
• What is another factor that contributes to spontaneous mutations?

  Natural exposure to low-level radiation
• What are spontaneous mutations and their causes?

  • Occur naturally during DNA replication
  • Causes include:
  • Random errors during DNA replication
  • Natural exposure to low-level radiation
• What do structural chromosomal mutations involve?

  Physical alterations to chromosomes
• What is the difference between germ-line mutations and somatic mutations?

  Germ-line mutations occur in the gametes and are passed on to offspring, while somatic mutations occur in body cells and are not passed on to offspring.
• How do environmental conditions contribute to induced mutations?

  They expose organisms to mutagens like sunlight
• How does a mutation that causes cystic fibrosis affect an organism?

  It reduces survival and reproduction chances
• How do beneficial mutations affect future generations?

  They can be passed down through natural selection
• How can chromosomal mutations affect an organism?

  • Significantly alter genetic makeup
  • Lead to various genetic disorders
  • Impact organism's development and function
• What primarily causes spontaneous mutations?

  Random errors during DNA replication and natural radiation
• What role do mutations play in evolution?

  They create genetic variation
• What role does DNA polymerase play in DNA replication?

  It proofreads and corrects errors during replication
• What can cause DNA damage leading to spontaneous mutations?

  Natural exposure to low-level radiation
• Why are germ-line mutations more significant than somatic mutations?

  Germ-line mutations are passed on to offspring, affecting all cells in the organism, while somatic mutations only affect a localized patch of cells.
• How does antibiotic resistance in bacteria illustrate the role of mutations in evolution?

  It allows bacteria to survive treatments and spread
• What are the three main effects of mutations?

  Beneficial, harmful, or neutral
• How can X-rays induce mutations?

  By causing breaks in the DNA strands
• Why is antibiotic resistance in bacteria considered a beneficial mutation?

  It helps survival against medication
• How do mutations contribute to the process of natural selection?

  They create variations that can be selected for or against
• What is the process that helps organisms adapt to their environments over time?

  Natural selection
• What effect does UV radiation have on DNA?

  It can cause thymine dimers disrupting replication
• What is a factor that causes induced mutations?

  Mutagens like chemicals and radiation
• What are the key differences between germ-line and somatic mutations?

  • Germ-line mutations occur in gametes, somatic mutations occur in body cells
  • Germ-line mutations are passed to offspring, somatic mutations are not
  • Germ-line mutations affect the entire organism, somatic mutations only affect a localized patch
• What is a DNA sequence?

  The order of genetic building blocks in DNA
• What are mutations?

  Changes in an organism's DNA sequence
• What impact do harmful mutations have on an organism?

  They reduce fitness
• What are the two types of cells where mutations can occur?

  Germ-line and somatic cells
• What are induced mutations and their causes?

  • Triggered by external factors
  • Causes include:
  • Mutagens like chemicals and radiation
  • Environmental conditions like sunlight