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Ch. 11 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Homologous Recombination
Sanders - Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach 3rd Edition
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksSanders 3rd EditionCh. 11 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Homologous RecombinationProblem 3
Chapter 11, Problem 3

What is the difference between a transition mutation and a transversion mutation?

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1
Understand that mutations are changes in the DNA sequence, and they can be classified based on the type of nucleotide change.
Recognize that a transition mutation is a type of point mutation where a purine is replaced with another purine (A ↔ G) or a pyrimidine is replaced with another pyrimidine (C ↔ T).
Identify that a transversion mutation is another type of point mutation where a purine is replaced with a pyrimidine or vice versa (A or G ↔ C or T).
Note that transitions are more common than transversions because they involve less drastic changes in the DNA structure.
Consider the implications of these mutations: transitions may have less impact on the protein function compared to transversions, which can lead to more significant changes in the amino acid sequence.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Transition Mutation

A transition mutation is a type of point mutation where a purine base (adenine or guanine) is replaced by another purine, or a pyrimidine base (cytosine or thymine) is replaced by another pyrimidine. This type of mutation is more common than transversion mutations and often has less impact on the protein structure, as it maintains the same class of nucleotide.
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Transversion Mutation

A transversion mutation is another type of point mutation, but it involves the substitution of a purine for a pyrimidine or vice versa. This means that adenine or guanine can be replaced by cytosine or thymine, leading to a more significant change in the DNA sequence. Transversions are less frequent than transitions and can have a greater impact on the resulting protein.
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Impact on Protein Function

Both transition and transversion mutations can affect protein function, but their impacts can vary. Transition mutations are often less disruptive due to the preservation of the nucleotide class, while transversions can lead to more drastic changes in amino acid sequences, potentially altering protein structure and function. Understanding these differences is crucial for predicting the effects of mutations in genetic studies.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

For the retinal cancer retinoblastoma, the inheritance of one mutated copy of RB1 from one of the parents is often referred to as a mutation that produces a 'dominant predisposition to cancer.' This means that the first mutation does not produce cancer but makes it very likely that cancer will develop. Define the 'two-hit hypothesis' for retinoblastoma.

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Textbook Question

Identify two general ways chemical mutagens can alter DNA. Give examples of these two mechanisms.

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Textbook Question

Nitrous acid and 5-bromodeoxyuracil (BrdU) alter DNA by different mechanisms. What type of mutation does each compound produce?

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Textbook Question

What are the differences between a synonymous mutation, a missense mutation, and a nonsense mutation?

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Textbook Question

UV irradiation causes damage to bacterial DNA. What kind of damage is frequently caused and how does photolyase repair the damage?

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Textbook Question

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is mutagenic.

What kind of DNA lesion does UV energy cause?

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