You are a contributing writer to new website built for educating the general pub
ID: 3520662 • Letter: Y
Question
You are a contributing writer to new website built for educating the general public about the role of DNA. You have been asked to write a section about genetic mutations and the various consequences of mutations (if any). The section should be clear, concise, written in a way that includes detailed information and that someone with a basic science background can understand.
This article/section should include the following terms/concepts and their meanings/descriptions (You may also use diagrams):
DNA
Effects on Transcription
Effects on Translation
Possible effects on protein folding
Effects of mutations in genes that encode transcription factors
Effects of a mutation in a promoter
Nonsense mutation, missense mutation
This article should be no more than two pages single-spaced.
Explanation / Answer
DNA is the basic genetic material that is responsible for transmission of information from one generation to another. This happens with the help of genes that are units that are responsible for coding of protein that brings about a phenotypic change and variation. This DNA material is not stable and is susceptible to mutations. These mutations comes in various forms such that they bring about changes in arrangement and sequence of neucleotides such that a variation is produced. The types of mutations are :
1. Missense mutation - In this type of mutation the protein produced is of different type than the one that should be made.
2. Nonsense mutation - in this type of mutation, there occurs variation such that no protein is produced.
3. Insertion - it occurs due to insertion of new base pair in between such that the whole sequence is changed.
4. Deletion - A base pair is deleted such that a different protein is made.
5. Duplication - A normal DNA is copied more than one time.
6. Frame shift- the frame for coding is shifted due to deletion of addition of base pair.
The DNA undergoes various processes before a response is produced. They are transcription and translation. Transcription is conversion of DNA to RNA and translation is the conversion of RNA to protein. The changes in DNA due to mutation usually occurs in transcription and result is seen when translation occurs and protein is formed. These mutation can occur at various sites and on various molecules. For example,
If mutation occurs in genes that encode transcription, either of the two things can happen. Either there occurs repeated uncontrolled transcription or no transcription at all. If it occurs at a promoter region it may produce oncogenes and causing tumors and carcinoma if unstopped. These are various steps and are controlled by various cell cycle gateways. This occurs when control is lost and the variation is carcinogenic or even could be stopped and no protein is formed at all.
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