So to end this week on introductory genetics concepts, and take us into what is hopefully a wonderful weekend for all, we will be discussing DNA mutations. Simply put, a DNA mutation is any permanent change to a person’s DNA sequence. DNA mutations can occur naturally, or they can be induced by some sort of chemical or environmental effect. Natural DNA mutation can occur during cell division, when an exact copy of the genome must be made, so that each new cell has all of the information it needs. It is during this copying process that the cell can sometimes make a mistake, and imperfectly copy the DNA, leading to mutation. This sort of natural DNA mutation is happening all the time, but typically at a very low rate. However, there are some chemicals or environments that can induce a greater rate of mutation, and we call these mutagens. UV radiation or radioactive materials are two common examples of mutagens. So how can DNA mutations affect us? Remember that DNA serves as the instructions for the cell to make proteins. So if there is a mistake in the DNA, this can lead to a mistake in the protein that is made based on that DNA sequence. This mistake in the protein can sometimes cause the protein to be unable to perform its function, and as a result, the cell will often behave abnormally. For example, cancer develops as a result of many DNA mutations in genes that are responsible for making proteins that are important in controlling cell division. If these proteins aren’t doing their job, then the cell will have no control over its division, and will keep dividing over and over, potentially leading to formation of a tumour. The following video by Bozeman Science provides an excellent overview of DNA mutations, by using a clever (and delicious) analogy. Take a look!!: https://youtube/watch?v=eDbK0cxKKsk
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 23:42:45 +0000
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