mutation

Front

What is a mutation?

Back

Any change in the sequence of DNA.

Front

What is a base substitution mutation?

Back

A mutation where one base in the DNA sequence is replaced by another base.

Front

What is a silent mutation?

Back

A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein.

Front

Can mutations be beneficial to organisms?

Back

Yes, mutations can sometimes be helpful to the organism.

Front

What is the result of a silent mutation?

Back

No change in protein function or amino acid sequence.

Front

What is the difference between a mutation and a polymorphism?

Back

A mutation is a change in DNA that can affect function, while a polymorphism is a variation that does not typically affect function.

Front

What are the two main types of mutations?

Back

Point mutations and frameshift mutations.

Front

What is a frameshift mutation?

Back

A mutation that involves the insertion or deletion of nucleotides, altering the reading frame of the gene.

Front

What is the significance of mutations in evolution?

Back

Mutations provide genetic variation, which is essential for natural selection.

Front

What is an example of a harmful mutation?

Back

Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene.