Mutation and DNA Quiz

Understanding Mutations: Permanent Changes in DNA

• Mutations are permanent changes in the nucleotide sequence of DNA that are not repaired and passed on to the next generation of cells.
• The altered nucleotide sequence must be heritable, meaning it passes on to the next generation of cells during cell replication or DNA replication.
• Mutations can occur in two types of cells: somatic cells and germ cells.
• Somatic cell mutations can occur before or after birth, resulting in congenital defects or abnormal cells with altered structural or functional properties.
• Mutations in germ cells can be passed on to the next generation and may result in inherited disorders.
• The genetic code is the master plan of life present in DNA, written by triplets of nucleotides.
• The genetic code is a special code for a particular type of message for protein synthesis.
• There are four bases in DNA: cytosine, adenine, thymine, and guanine, which can be combined in different fashions to form triplets or codons.
• There are 64 possible combinations of triplets or codons in the genetic code.
• Transcription is the process of DNA leading to the formation of RNA, while translation is the process of RNA being decoded by transfer RNA to make new proteins or peptide chains.
• Changes in DNA can result in alterations in RNA, which can lead to changes in protein and structural or functional abnormalities in cells.
• Understanding the genetic code is essential to understanding mutations and how changes in DNA can impact the formation of RNA and proteins, leading to cellular changes and inherited disorders.