How Traits Change-DNA and Mutations

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What is DNA?

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DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life. It is made up of two strands that coil around each other to form a double helix.

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NGSS.HS-LS1-1

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What is mRNA?

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mRNA (messenger RNA) is a type of RNA that is created during transcription and carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized.

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What is transcription?

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Transcription is the process by which the information in a DNA strand is copied into a complementary mRNA strand.

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What is translation?

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Translation is the process where the mRNA is decoded by ribosomes to synthesize proteins.

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What is a gene?

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A gene is a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a specific protein or set of proteins.

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NGSS.HS-LS1-1

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What are mutations?

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Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to changes in the structure and function of proteins.

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NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

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What is an insertion mutation?

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An insertion mutation occurs when one or more nucleotide bases are added to the DNA sequence, potentially altering the resulting protein.

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NGSS.HS-LS3-2

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What is a deletion mutation?

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A deletion mutation occurs when one or more nucleotide bases are removed from the DNA sequence, which can disrupt the reading frame of the gene.

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NGSS.HS-LS3-2

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Why are insertion and deletion mutations harmful?

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They can change all of the codons from the mutation on down the line, which alters the amino acid sequence and can lead to nonfunctional proteins.

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NGSS.HS-LS1-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

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What is a codon?

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A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis.

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NGSS.HS-LS1-1