mutations

• what are mutations?

  changes to the genetic code
• what are the problems with mutations?

  -can change the shape of the protein so it can no longer perform its function

  -if there is a mutation in the non-coding DNA it can alter how the genes are expressed
• what are the different types of mutations?

  insertions - where a new base is inserted into the DNA base sequence where it shouldn't be. this changed the way the groups are read which can change the amino acid that they code for. they can also change more than one as they have a knock on effect.

  deletions - when a base is deleted from the DNA base sequence. it has the same effect as insertions

  substitutions - when a base in the DNA base sequence is changed to a different base