Introduction to Mutations

Mutations

Poll

Scientists have found that the corona virus is mutating. What does that mean?

• It's giving people superpowers

• less people are getting sick

• It looks different

• The virus genetic information is changing

Poll

Why do mutations occur?

• We don't really know

• Influences from the environment

• Mate selection

• it can happen spontaneously

Mutations:

• A change in the RNA or DNA caused by one or more nucleotides changing locations.

• This can happen when one nucleotide is inserted, deleted, or substituted for a different nucleotide

Mutations

• Harmful - Causes an enzyme or protein to not function properly

• Helpful - Causes a genetic change that is good for the individual/species

• Neutral (not good or bad) - Doesn't do anything

Point Mutations

• A point mutation is when only one part of a DNA or RNA sequence is changed.

• This usually happens with a substitution mutation

• One nucleotide is replaced with a different nucleotide

• Can result in a different amino acid being created.

Multiple Choice

A point mutation is usually what type of mutation

• Frameshift

• Insertion

• Deletion

• Substitution

Frame Shift Mutation

• When a mutation causes the DNA or RNA sequence to change downstream.

• Usually an insertion or deletion mutation

• When a nucleotide is inserted or deleted, it will change the rest of the code after it

• Can result in the whole structure being different.

Multiple Select

A frameshift mutation is which of the following?

• Point mutation

• Insertion

• Deletion

• Subtitution

Multiple Choice

Which mutation would be more harmful for an organism?

• Point mutation (substitution)

• Frameshift (insertion/Deletion)

Multiple Choice

Why would a frameshift be more harmful?

• It changes all the code downstream

• Only one nucleotide is changing

• All mutations are harmful

• It can't correct iself

Open Ended

What is causing the virus to create new variants of itself?