Mutations

Front

What is a mutation?

Back

A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that can lead to changes in the amino acid sequence of proteins.

Front

What happens when the amino acid sequence coded by a gene is altered?

Back

A defective protein is produced, causing a mutation.

Front

What is an example of a neutral mutation?

Back

A change in eye color.

Front

What is a chromosome?

Back

A single, highly organized and structured piece of DNA.

Front

What are proteins?

Back

Biomolecules made of amino acids that perform biological functions.

Front

What kind of mutations exist in humans?

Back

Neutral mutations, harmful mutations, and beneficial mutations.

Front

What is a harmful mutation?

Back

A mutation that negatively affects an organism's fitness or health.

Front

What is a beneficial mutation?

Back

A mutation that provides an advantage to an organism in its environment.

Front

What is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity?

Back

A gene.

Front

How do mutations affect evolution?

Back

Mutations introduce genetic variation, which can lead to evolution through natural selection.