DNA mutation (chapter 16): omit pp. 467-474

Lecture Topics/Genetics Home Page

I. Mutations
A. Definition
B. Types of point mutations
C. Consequences of mutations like these
II. How do mutations arise?
A. Spontaneous mutagenesis (fig. 16.14, 16.15, 16.16)
B. Chemical mutagenesis (fig. 16.19, 16.23)
1. Examples: base analogue 5-bromo uracil (5BU) and acridine dyes (cause insertions/deletions)
2. Carginogens and testing for mutagens/carcinogens
C. Misalignment mutagenesis (fig. 16.24)
D. Mutator and antimutator mutations
E. UV radiation (fig. 16.26)
F. Highly reactive oxygen molecules called free radicals
G. Other causes: heat, X-rays, etc.
III. Diet and cancer prevention (not in text)
A. Antioxidants
B. Foods that help your body process cancer-causing chemicals more safely
C. Chemicals that compete with estrogen
D. Many foods that may increase one's risk of cancer

DNA repair (chapter 16)

I. Direct reversal of damage
A. Reversal of dimers created by UV light: enzyme photolyase (fig. 16.26)
B. Alkyltransferases (methyltransferase): removes improperly placed methyl groups (fig. 16.27)
II. Excision repair pathways
A. General excision repair (nucleotide excision repair)
1. General process
2. Example: E. coli (handout: fig. 19-31)
3. Example: humans
B. Specific excision repair (AP repair) (handout: fig. 19-35)
C. Mismatch repair (handout: fig. 19-37, 19-38)
1. General process
2. Example: E. coli
III. Post-replicative repair (handout: fig. 19-40)
A. RecA protein and recombinational repair
B. SOS repair/response