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Biology LibreTexts

Unit 10: Mutation

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  • 10.1: Mutations - Causes and Significance
    This page discusses DNA mutations in living cells, their types (point mutations, indels, etc.), and diseases associated with them, like sickle cell anemia. It highlights the role of mutations in evolution, gene duplication, and translocations, along with their rarity and varying rates across species. Specifically, C. elegans has a mutation rate of approximately 2.1 x 10^-8 per base pair per generation, with males contributing more due to mitotic divisions.
  • 10.2: Testing for Mutagenic Chemicals in Bacteria and Mice
    This page describes the Ames test using transgenic Big Blue mice. These mice contain a DNA vector with elements of E. coli's lac operon. When exposed to suspected carcinogens, mutations in lacI or the operator can lead to the production of beta-galactosidase. This DNA is then used to create bacteriophages that infect E. coli, resulting in clear and blue plaques; blue plaques indicate higher mutation frequency due to beta-galactosidase production.
  • 10.3: Radiation and its effect on DNA
    This page explores significant radiation types for biologists, focusing on ionizing radiation's effects on DNA. It covers measurement units such as rad, rem, and their transitions to gray (Gy) and sievert (Sv). A table presents typical radiation doses in millisieverts (mSv) from various sources and outlines average annual U.S. radiation exposure, emphasizing background radiation from cosmic, soil, and bodily sources.
  • 10.4: Transposons - "jumping genes"
    This page discusses the role of transposons in genetic processes, including their function as transposases in the integration of viral RNA into host genomes, posing challenges in HIV treatment. It highlights their mutagenic potential, linking them to genetic disorders like hemophilia and cancer, while also noting their contributions to gene regulation and evolutionary mechanisms.


This page titled Unit 10: Mutation is shared under a CC BY 3.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by John W. Kimball via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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