Gene Mutation Essay, Research Paper

Define Gene Mutation A change in the base sequence of a gene Outline the difference between an insertion and a deletion Explain the consequence of a base substitution mutation in relation to the

process of transcription and translation, using the example of sickle cell

anaemia Base substitutions (aka point mutations) occur when 1 base on a DNA strand is

replaced with a different one. This can affect the resulting protein in various

ways. Great distortions can arise because during transcription and translation,

the DNA that is being read is wrong, and thus do not correctly produce a needed

protein. An incorrect sequence of amino acids may alter the shape of the

protein, the most important characteristic that defines a protein?s function. In

the case of sickle cell anaemia, the haemoglobin molecule is crystalline and

makes the red blood cell crescent-shaped. Even a slight change in the sequence

may be enough to completely alter the information-