Difference between revisions of "Point mutation"
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| − | A '''point mutation''' is the most limited type of [[mutation]], whereby a single base [[nucleotide]] is replaced with another nucleotide. Sometimes the expression "point mutation" can also include the addition or subtraction of a single base pair. | + | A '''point mutation''' is the most limited type of [[mutation]], whereby a single base [[nucleotide]] is replaced with another nucleotide. Sometimes the expression "point mutation" can also include the addition or subtraction of a single base pair, which is also referred to as an "indel". |
| − | The sickle-cell disease is caused by a single point mutation in the beta [[hemoglobin]] gene, whereby a | + | The sickle-cell disease is caused by a single point mutation in one allele of the beta [[hemoglobin]] gene, whereby a CCT codon is converted into TCT. The TCT then mistakenly encodes the [[amino acid]] serine instead of proline. |
[[Category:genetics]] | [[Category:genetics]] | ||
[[Category:diseases]] | [[Category:diseases]] | ||
Revision as of 19:02, July 26, 2008
A point mutation is the most limited type of mutation, whereby a single base nucleotide is replaced with another nucleotide. Sometimes the expression "point mutation" can also include the addition or subtraction of a single base pair, which is also referred to as an "indel".
The sickle-cell disease is caused by a single point mutation in one allele of the beta hemoglobin gene, whereby a CCT codon is converted into TCT. The TCT then mistakenly encodes the amino acid serine instead of proline.