Difference between revisions of "Mutation"
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: [[Mutation]]s affect [[Gene Expression|gene expression]]. Since [[gene]]s act as templates for building [[protein]], if a [[gene]] has been altered by [[mutation]] the [[protein]]s will also be changed. | : [[Mutation]]s affect [[Gene Expression|gene expression]]. Since [[gene]]s act as templates for building [[protein]], if a [[gene]] has been altered by [[mutation]] the [[protein]]s will also be changed. | ||
: [[Mutation]]s lead to the [[protein]]s, [[Coding DNA|coded]] for by a [[gene]], to have a different shape and function. A [[mutation]] may cause the [[Active Site|active site]] of an [[enzyme]] to change, leading to a [[Substrate (Biology)|substrate]] no longer fitting in the [[Active Site|active site]] or, in rare cases, a different [[Substrate (Biology)|substrate]] fitting the [[Active Site|active site]]. | : [[Mutation]]s lead to the [[protein]]s, [[Coding DNA|coded]] for by a [[gene]], to have a different shape and function. A [[mutation]] may cause the [[Active Site|active site]] of an [[enzyme]] to change, leading to a [[Substrate (Biology)|substrate]] no longer fitting in the [[Active Site|active site]] or, in rare cases, a different [[Substrate (Biology)|substrate]] fitting the [[Active Site|active site]]. | ||
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| + | ==Beyond the Curriculum== | ||
| + | {{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP8-5Bhd2ag}} | ||
Revision as of 16:26, 20 April 2019
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A mutation is a change to the DNA in a cell which causes a new variant of a gene.
About Mutations
- Mutations occur randomly so they cannot be predicted.
- Most mutations are errors which occur during DNA replication in cell division. However, some can occur due to DNA becoming damaged by ionising radiation.
- Mutations affect gene expression. Since genes act as templates for building protein, if a gene has been altered by mutation the proteins will also be changed.
- Mutations lead to the proteins, coded for by a gene, to have a different shape and function. A mutation may cause the active site of an enzyme to change, leading to a substrate no longer fitting in the active site or, in rare cases, a different substrate fitting the active site.