9. Summarize the types of mutations. • Substitution- when one of the nucleotides in the DNA is switched for another

Question

• Insertion-when extra base pairs are added
• Frameshift-if there are fewer than three base pairs because a base pair has been inserted or deleted
• Deletion-when base pairs are removed
• Viable error-

Answer 1

Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can affect genetic information. Here are the key types of mutations summarized:

1. Substitution: This occurs when one nucleotide is replaced or switched with another. This can result in a silent mutation (no change in amino acid), a missense mutation (different amino acid), or a nonsense mutation (premature stop codon).

2. Insertion: This involves the addition of one or more nucleotide base pairs into the DNA sequence, which can disrupt the reading frame and alter the resulting protein.

3. Deletion: This type of mutation occurs when one or more nucleotide base pairs are removed from the DNA sequence, also potentially causing a frameshift if the number of bases deleted is not a multiple of three.

4. Frameshift: This mutation results from insertions or deletions that change the reading frame of the genetic code, potentially leading to significant alterations in the resulting amino acid sequence.

5. Viable error: This term typically refers to mutations that do not disrupt an organism’s viability; however, it is less commonly classified and may need further context to clarify its specific use in mutation types.

These mutations can have various effects on organisms, ranging from beneficial to harmful, or may have no observable impact at all.