Mutation Reading and Diagram

Mutations Organisms exactly copy and distribute their DNA during every cell division. This is called replication. When DNA is ready to multiply, its double helix unwinds and unzips. A new strand will form and bond with the complementary nucleotide base pairs for each side. This results in two DNA double helices that are identical to the first. A mutation is a change in that genetic information. A mutation can be harmful to an organism, but it can also be beneficial, or have no effect at all. Mutations can occur from errors during replication or from environmental factors – exposure to chemical, radiation, etc., collectively called mutagens. Sometimes there are small changes in the code called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs are rare, but they can account for small variations in populations of organisms. Several SNPs together might increase an organism’s susceptibility to disease. c c t a ag c t template strand Process of DNA Replication replication fork t g c g a g c daughter strand Mutations t a t t t t a a a g a c a t g c c g t a c g The same chromosome base sequence in two individuals showing the sequence variation called a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). g c gg a t g t g c a t c g t g t a t c g Because much of our DNA codes for amino acids that will build specific proteins that the body needs, if a mutation occurs in a protein sequencing area, it can produce a different protein than the body intended. Most amino acids are represented by more than one set of code (a three nucleotide sequence called a codon), so a single nucleotide change may not affect the resulting protein. An error in code that chooses the wrong amino acid, however, could result in a protein that is completely wrong for its function. This might cause structural deformities and even death to an organism. A mutation that occurs in the somatic cells (not sex cells) can affect the individual but will not be passed on to any offspring. A mutation that occurs in the sex cells (egg or sperm cell), however, can be passed from parent to offspring. This may lead to hereditary diseases. This is a germline mutation. The effects of a mutation on an organism’s phenotype can vary. 1) If the mutation is in a non-coding stretch of DNA or doesn’t affect the resulting protein, it will have no visible affect on the organism and cause no change to its phenotype. 2) Depending upon its location, a mutation can cause a slight change to the phenotype. 3) If a mutation occurs in a sequence of DNA that codes for a protein that is vital for a body structure or functionality, it can have a major affect on the phenotype of the organism and could, in fact, be lethal. Mutations can be beneficial to an organism and in germline mutations affect their offspring and the their populations in a positive way. Though it doesn’t help humans, mutations in bacteria led to their resistance to certain antibiotics over time. A mutation that benefits humans is the resistance to malaria that people with a mild form of sickle cell anemia (HbC hemoglobin) experience. Mutations are considered essential for evolutions as they increase genetic variation in populations of organisms and lead to natural selection. Harmful mutations can lead to hereditary diseases, such as Huntington’s disease, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and even certain cancers. LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits - Changes (mutations) to genes can result in changes to proteins, which can affect the structures and functions of the organism and thereby change traits. MS-LS3-1. Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism. A es T le o tid Nu c C Chromosome A G T g g Gene DNA Strand t t a a c t g g t t c c g g The same sequence of nucleotides on a chromosome in two individuals showing the variation resulting from a mutation. can be harmful or beneficial or have no effect at all on the organism. proteins to be made is altered and can result in a different protein. Mutations that nucleotide sequence. So the genetic information that codes for specific parents to offspring with our genetic instructions. A mutation is a change in form genes that are the basic physical unit of inheritance passed from all the proteins that the body needs to function. Sections of the DNA strand that are hooked together. Their sequence provides the blueprint for building DNA is made up of a very long strand of tiny molecules, called nucleotides, Mutations