Difference between revisions of "Mutation"

Revision as of 14:10, 8 April 2019

A mutation is a change to the DNA in a cell which causes a new variant of a gene.

Mutations occur randomly so they cannot be predicted.

Most mutations are errors which occur during DNA replication in cell division. However, some can occur due to DNA becoming damaged by ionising radiation.

Mutations affect gene expression. Since genes act as templates for building protein, if a gene has been altered by mutation the proteins will also be changed.

Mutations lead to the proteins, coded for by a gene, to have a different shape and function. A mutation may cause the active site of an enzyme to change, leading to a substrate no longer fitting in the active site or, in rare cases, a different substrate fitting the active site.

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 : Most [[mutation]]s are errors which occur during [[DNA]] replication in [[Cell Division|cell division]]. However, some can occur due to [[DNA]] becoming damaged by [[Ionising Radiation|ionising radiation]].
 : [[Mutation]]s affect [[Gene Expression|gene expression]]. Since [[gene]]s act as templates for building [[protein]], if a [[gene]] has been altered by [[mutation]] the [[protein]]s will also be changed.
-: [[Mutation]]s lead to the [[protein]]s, [[Coding DNA|coded]] for by a [[gene]], to have a different shape and function. A [[mutation]] may cause the [[Active Site|active site]] of an [[enzyme]] to change, leading to a [[substrate]] no longer fitting in the [[Active Site|active site]] or, in rare cases, a different [[substrate]] fitting the [[Active Site|active site]].
+: [[Mutation]]s lead to the [[protein]]s, [[Coding DNA|coded]] for by a [[gene]], to have a different shape and function. A [[mutation]] may cause the [[Active Site|active site]] of an [[enzyme]] to change, leading to a [[Substrate (Biology)|substrate]] no longer fitting in the [[Active Site|active site]] or, in rare cases, a different [[Substrate (Biology)|substrate]] fitting the [[Active Site|active site]].