Genetics is the branch of biology that studies genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms. It explores how traits are passed from parents to offspring through genes, which are segments of DNA that carry instructions for building and maintaining an organism.
Key areas in genetics include:
What is gene expression, and how does it relate to cell specialization? Gene expression is a fundamental biological process through which the information encoded in a gene is utilized to produce functional products, primarily proteins. This mechanism plays a crucial role in cell specialization, often referred to as cell differentiation, wherein generic cells evolve into … Read more
What is Helicase? What is DNA Helicase? History of DNA Helicases The history of DNA helicases begins with their discovery in the mid-1970s. These enzymes, crucial for unwinding DNA strands, have been extensively studied across a wide range of organisms. From bacteria to plants and humans, research on helicases has revealed their essential role in … Read more
What is Transgenic Animal? Definition of Transgenic Animal A transgenic animal is an organism that has had a foreign gene (transgene) deliberately inserted into its genome, allowing the gene to be expressed and passed on to future generations. Steps for Production of Transgenic Animals The production of transgenic animals involves a detailed and systematic approach … Read more
What is Point mutation? Definition of Point mutation A point mutation is a genetic mutation involving a change in a single nucleotide base in the DNA or RNA sequence, which can affect the sequence of amino acids in a protein. Causes of Point mutation Point mutations are primarily caused by various mechanisms that affect the … Read more
What is Missense Mutation? Definition of Missense Mutation A missense mutation is a type of point mutation in which a single nucleotide change results in the substitution of one amino acid for another in the protein sequence, potentially altering the protein’s function. Types of Missense Mutation There are two Types of Missense Mutation; Causes of … Read more
What is Nonsense Mutation? Definition of Nonsense Mutation A nonsense mutation is a genetic alteration that introduces a premature stop codon into the coding sequence of a gene, leading to the production of a truncated and often nonfunctional protein. Causes of nonsense mutation Nonsense mutations are a specific type of genetic mutation where a change … Read more
What are Silent mutations? Definition of Silent mutations Silent mutations are genetic changes in the DNA sequence that do not alter the amino acid sequence of a protein, resulting in no effect on the protein’s function or the organism’s phenotype. Cause of Silent Mutation Silent mutations are genetic changes that do not alter the final … Read more
What is Frameshift Mutation? Definition of Frameshift Mutation A frameshift mutation is a genetic alteration caused by the insertion or deletion of nucleotides in a DNA sequence, which shifts the reading frame of codons and results in the production of an altered and typically nonfunctional protein. Causes of Frameshift Mutation The main causes of frameshift … Read more
What is Chromosomal mutation? Definition of Chromosomal Mutation Chromosomal mutation refers to alterations in the structure or number of chromosomes within a cell, which can impact genetic information and potentially lead to various genetic disorders. Causes of Chromosomal Mutation Mechanism of Chromosomal Mutation Chromosomal mutations arise through various mechanisms that can be broadly categorized into … Read more
What is Somatic Mutation? Definition of Somatic Mutation A somatic mutation is a genetic change that occurs in non-reproductive cells after fertilization, which typically does not get passed on to offspring. Causes of Somatic Mutation Several factors and stressors can contribute to somatic mutations. These can be categorized into endogenous factors, chemical mutagens, physical mutagens, … Read more
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