Course review
Review each learning objective in this topic, then open its concept explanation or question set.
Learning objective
• Gene mutations are changes in the base sequence of DNA • Main types are substitution, insertion, deletion, and duplication
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Learning objective
• Base substitutions can create SNPs and change codons • Degeneracy can make substitutions silent, missense, or nonsense
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Learning objective
• Insertions or deletions not in multiples of three cause frameshifts • Frameshifts alter downstream codons and often disrupt protein function
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Learning objective
• Mutations can arise from replication errors, repair errors, or chromosome damage • Mutagens include chemicals, ionizing radiation, and ultraviolet radiation
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Learning objective
• Mutations occur randomly with respect to organism need or advantage • Mutation rate varies with DNA sequence, gene expression, repair, and mutagen exposure
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Learning objective
• Germ-line mutations can be inherited by offspring • Somatic mutations affect only descendant body cells and can contribute to cancer
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Learning objective
• Mutation is the original source of new alleles and genetic variation • Many mutations are neutral or harmful, but variation supplies material for natural selection
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Learning objective
• Gene knockout makes a specific gene non-functional to investigate phenotype • Model organisms such as mice, Drosophila, zebrafish, and Arabidopsis support KO libraries
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Learning objective
• Guide RNA directs Cas9 to a complementary DNA target sequence • Cas9 cutting enables deletion, replacement, insertion, or gene disruption
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Learning objective
• Conserved sequences remain similar across species or long evolutionary times • Conservation suggests essential function, lower mutation rate, or strong purifying selection
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