Answer to Question #171014 in Genetics for Sam

Question

There are 2 main classes of mutations : (i) Point mutations, (ii) Insertion/deletion mutations.

In groups of 3, research and state how each of these mutations can alter the DNA sequence.

Answer 1

i) Point mutations are a large category of mutations that describe a change in single nucleotide of DNA, such that that nucleotide is switched for another nucleotide, or that nucleotide is deleted, or a single nucleotide is inserted into the DNA that causes that DNA to be different from the normal or wild type gene.

ii) Insertion or deletion results in a frame-shift that changes the reading of subsequent codons and, therefore, alters the entire amino acid sequence that follows the mutation, insertions and deletions are usually more harmful than a substitution in which only a single amino acid is altered.