Which is a point mutation?
1 Answer
A point mutation or single base modification, causes a single nucleotide base substitution , insertion or deletion in the genetic material DNA or RNA.
Explanation:
Point mutations usually take place during DNA replication. A single point mutation can change the whole DNA sequence . Changing one purine or pyrimidine may change the amino acid that the nucleotide it codes for.
There are multiple ways that a point mutation may occur and the rate of mutation may be increased by mutagens. Recent studies suggest that point mutations occur in response to environmental challenges.
There are many short term and long term effects that can arise from mutations. The effect of point mutations depend on the location of the mutation within the gene. It also has several effects on the behaviour and reproduction of a protein.
Several diseases like cystic fibrosis, cancer, sickle celled anemia and colour blindness are caused due to defects arising from point mutations.
