Monday, December 7, 2009

DNA Mutation

DNA

Composed of two strands that wrap around each other, the double helix.

The DNA strand is made up of four letters, G A T and C.

G stands for Guanine

A stands for Adenine

T stands for Thymine

C stands for Cytosine

DNA Mutation

Substitution

Where one letter is exchanged for another.

Deletion

When a section of DNA is lost



Insertion

Extra pairs of DNA are randomly added

Frameshift

DNA coding is in sections tha are three letters long, frameshifting is when the first letter is lost, but the sections will remain in 3-letter parts.

More easily explained using words, The fat cat sat = Hef at cats at

Causes of Mutations

DNA fails to copy accurately

DNA is influenced

Radiation, chemicals

1.W1.What are some effects of DNA mutation?

2.H2.How is it possible to have multiple sets of DNA?

3. How can a DNA mutation affect health and development?

3 comments:

  1. 1. Mutation can result in several different types of change in DNA sequences. These can either have no effect, alter the product of a gene, or prevent the gene from functioning. This can sometimes be very severe causing diseases or moderate causing problems that are hidden. An example of a severe Mutation would be Myotonic Dysrophy from DNA Insertion. This attacks and weakens muscles and causes endocrine changes.
    2. Yes this abnormality is called Chimeras. This is a result of a person carrying two sets of DNA. This often occurs in non-identical twins when blood stem cells are passed through the placenta of the fetuses.
    3. In the body we depend on DNA to produce the proper proteins. With DNA Mutation these genes are altered and will not function properly. This can cause our body to become more susceptible to disease affecting our health greatly. DNA Mutations conflicting with our proteins can also cause developmental problems such as at birth. A developing fetus may be killed due to DNA mutations.

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  2. 1.Mutations can affect people in different ways. One way is that it could change a persons physical appearance or changes in their behavior. Mutations could also lead into altering gene regulation. Some people might not even be affected by certain mutations.
    2.Yes it is possible to have two sets of DNA, and its called Chimeras.
    3.DNA would affect our body in a variety of ways. Some may not make the right proteins and other mutations might cause physical and behavioral problems as well. With these different problems it can alter the way our body deals with diseases and viruses.

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  3. 1. There can be different effects such as: change in a morphological trait, change in behavior, and changes in gene regulation.

    2.First, it is possible to become a chimera if developing fraternal twin embryos fuse together to become one embryo.Second, chimeras can arise when developing fraternal twins share a blood supply.Third, sometimes chimeras can happen through an error in the way cells divide in the developing embryo.

    3. Mutation could affect you in a variety of ways. If a single change in the DNA of mitochondria occurs, it could lead to degenerative heart and muscle disease. DNA mutation could also lead to some physical & behavior changes or problems.

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