Discuss genetic mutation:

A. Point mutations (including base pair change), frameshift mutations (including insertion and deletion), and nondisjunction:

A point mutation is a simple change in one of the bases of the gene sequence. For an example, using a sentence, where one letter in a sentence, such as this example, where we change the 'c' in cat to an 'h': 

Original	The fat cat ate the wee rat.
Point Mutation	The fat hat ate the wee rat.

 

In a frame shift mutation, one or more bases are inserted or deleted. Because our cells read DNA in three letter "words", adding or removing one letter changes each following word. This type of mutation can make the DNA meaningless and often results in a shortened protein. An example of a frame-shift mutation using a sentence is when the ’t’ from cat is removed, but we keep the original letter spacing:

 

Original	The fat cat ate the wee rat.
Frame Shift	The fat caa tet hew eer at.

 

Nondisjunction is when chromosomes fail to split apart during cell division. This is where an chromosome goes to both daughter cells, and nowhere else. Nondisjunction is when there are errors made in chromosome numbers. Common examples are, Trisomy 21, Down syndrome, and monosomy x.

B. Mutations that result during mitosis (body cells) and meiosis (gametes or sex cells)

Mutations in mitosis will be unavoidably inherited, unless a mutation occurs for it by duplicate descendants of a single-celled organism. Mutations in mitosis can include any mutations that revolve around chromosomes, such as Down’s syndrome. Cancer can also be a mutation. In meiosis cell division results in haploid sex cells. Mutation can occur in either parent as a legacy of its coming into mitosis or at the time of zygote formation. This is where nondisjuction is.

C. Results of these mutations in the individual as well as in the offspring

The organism can come out with having Down Syndrome, genetic disorders, differences in skin colors, eyes, multiple fingers, etc. Frame shift and nondisjunction may affect the offspring. 

Kharishma Patel, Jeswina John, Miranda Juergens, Deepthy Varghese

Medical Microbiology, 8th period, Rickard