Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination
Induced Mutations
Problem 34d
Textbook Question
Using your knowledge of DNA repair pathways, choose the pathway that would be used to repair the following types of DNA damage. Explain your reasoning.
a thymine dimer induced as a result of UV exposure
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1
<span>Identify the type of DNA damage: A thymine dimer is a type of damage where two adjacent thymine bases on a DNA strand become covalently bonded due to UV exposure.</span>
<span>Recall the DNA repair pathways: The main pathways include nucleotide excision repair (NER), base excision repair (BER), mismatch repair (MMR), and direct repair mechanisms.</span>
<span>Determine the appropriate repair pathway: Thymine dimers are typically repaired by the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway.</span>
<span>Explain why NER is used: NER is specialized in removing bulky DNA lesions like thymine dimers by excising a short single-stranded DNA segment containing the damage and then filling in the gap with the correct nucleotides.</span>
<span>Summarize the process: In NER, the damaged DNA is recognized, the DNA strand is unwound, the damaged section is excised, and the gap is filled and sealed by DNA polymerase and ligase.</span>
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Thymine Dimers
Thymine dimers are a type of DNA damage that occurs when two adjacent thymine bases bond together due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This abnormal bonding distorts the DNA structure, leading to replication errors if not repaired. Understanding the formation and consequences of thymine dimers is crucial for identifying the appropriate repair mechanisms.
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Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER)
Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is a DNA repair mechanism that removes bulky DNA lesions, such as thymine dimers. The process involves recognizing the distortion in the DNA helix, excising the damaged segment, and synthesizing new DNA to fill the gap. NER is essential for maintaining genomic stability, especially in response to UV-induced damage.
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Repair Pathways
DNA Repair Pathways
DNA repair pathways are cellular mechanisms that detect and correct DNA damage to prevent mutations and maintain genetic integrity. These pathways include various processes such as base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair, and homologous recombination. Understanding these pathways is vital for comprehending how cells respond to different types of DNA damage, including those caused by environmental factors like UV radiation.
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