Biology Flashcard

Front

What is a frameshift mutation?

Back

A mutation that shifts the reading frame of the genetic code, potentially altering the entire amino acid sequence downstream.

Front

What are mutations?

Back

Rare, random events that change the base sequence of DNA, which can lead to changes in the structure and function of proteins.

Front

What is an example of a small-scale mutation?

Back

Point mutation, which involves a change in a single nucleotide base.

Front

Which enzyme is primarily responsible for proofreading during DNA replication?

Back

DNA polymerase, which checks and corrects errors in the newly synthesized DNA strand.

Front

Which process involves the conversion of DNA to RNA?

Back

Transcription, the process by which the information in a DNA sequence is copied into a complementary RNA sequence.

Front

What is the significance of mutations in evolution?

Back

Mutations introduce genetic variation, which is essential for natural selection and evolution.

Front

What are the two main types of mutations?

Back

Small-scale mutations (like point mutations) and large-scale mutations (like insertions, deletions, and duplications of large DNA segments).

Front

How can mutations affect protein function?

Back

Mutations can lead to changes in the amino acid sequence of proteins, potentially altering their structure and function.

Front

What is the role of RNA polymerase in transcription?

Back

RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during the transcription process.

Front

What is a silent mutation?

Back

A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein due to redundancy in the genetic code.