Using the adenine–thymine base pair in this DNA sequence ...GCTC... ...CGAG... Give the sequence after a transition mutation.

Key Concepts

Transition Mutation

A transition mutation is a specific type of point mutation where a purine base (adenine or guanine) is replaced by another purine, or a pyrimidine base (cytosine or thymine) is replaced by another pyrimidine. This type of mutation can lead to changes in the amino acid sequence of proteins, potentially affecting their function. In the provided sequence, the transition mutation alters one base while maintaining the overall structure of the DNA.

DNA Base Pairing

DNA base pairing refers to the specific hydrogen bonding between nitrogenous bases in the DNA double helix. Adenine pairs with thymine (A-T) and guanine pairs with cytosine (G-C). Understanding base pairing is crucial for predicting the effects of mutations, as changes in one base can affect the complementary strand and the overall genetic code, influencing protein synthesis and function.

Effects of Mutations

Mutations can have various effects on an organism, ranging from benign to harmful. They can alter protein structure and function, potentially leading to diseases or advantageous traits. The impact of a mutation often depends on its location within a gene and the nature of the change, such as whether it is a silent, missense, or nonsense mutation. Analyzing the consequences of mutations helps in understanding genetic variation and evolution.