MUTATIONS: - A source of variation

A change in the nucleotide base sequence of the DNA or a change in the structure or number of chromosomes

Mutagens
Mutagens cause mutations which are mistakes in the base sequence of the DNA. (If you change the recipe, you change the cake)

There are two types: Point mutations and chromosomal mutations Point Mutations involve changing a single nucleotide base. There are 3 types:

1. Substitution mutations involve replacing one base with another. Like a sports team
TAC ACC GTA TTC CAT TCC TAC ACC GTG TTC CAT TCC (old DNA) (new DNA)

This may or may not change the product being made, depending on where it occurs. If it is in the last position of a triplet, then not so bad, if it is in the first or second, then it probably will change.

2. Deletion mutations remove a base

TAC ACC GTA TTC CAT TCC TAC ACC GTT TCC ATT CC (old DNA) (new DNA)

3. Insertion mutations add an extra base

TAC ACC GTA TTC CAT TCC (old DNA) TAC ACC GTA TTT CCA TTC (new DNA)

Identify the mutation in the following sequence

TTC TCC AGA CTT GAT TGA TCT Becomes TTC TCC AGA CTT TAT TGA TCT Or this One AAG AGG UCU GAA CUA ACU AGA becomes UAG AGG UCU GAA CUA ACU AGA

Chromosomal mutations
Having an extra chromosome or one too few Sometimes, chromosomes fail to separate during 1st or 2nd stages of meiosis This means that one gamete (sex cell eg sperm or egg) may be missing a chromosome OR The others will have an extra chromosome and, when fertilised, will have three copies trisomy Examples are: downs syndrome, kleinfelters syndrome

Karyotypes (pictures of chromosome pairs)

Normal male Normal female

Examples: Pataus syndrome

Downs syndrome