1. Mutation can occur during DNA replication when there is an error in base pairing, insertion, deletion, or substitution.
2. Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T), and Guanine (G) pairs with Cytosine (C) to create new strands of DNA.
3. Environmental factors, such as UV radiation or certain chemicals, can induce mutations in DNA, potentially leading to genetic changes.
4. Crossing-over during meiosis and independent assortment of chromosomes contribute to genetic variation by shuffling and recombining genetic material, leading to unique combinations of alleles in offspring.
The process of DNA replication is a fundamental mechanism that ensures the accurate transmission of genetic information from one generation of cells to the next. The flowchart depicting DNA replication begins with the unwinding of the DNA double helix, facilitated by enzymes. This unwinding creates a replication fork, where the DNA strands are exposed for replication to occur.
RNA primers are then bound to the single-stranded DNA, serving as starting points for DNA polymerase, an enzyme responsible for adding nucleotides to the growing DNA strands. The nucleotide bases adenine (A) pair with thymine (T), and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C) during this process, ensuring the faithful reconstruction of the original DNA sequence.
The replication process involves the synthesis of leading and lagging strands, with DNA polymerase working continuously along the leading strand and in short, discontinuous fragments along the lagging strand. The enzyme proofreads the newly synthesized DNA strands, correcting any errors that may have occurred during replication.
Termination of replication concludes the process, resulting in two identical DNA molecules. However, mutations can occur during replication, introduced by errors in base pairing, insertions, deletions, or substitutions. These mutations contribute to genetic diversity.
Environmental factors, such as exposure to UV radiation or certain chemicals, can impact DNA and induce mutations. Additionally, genetic variation is further enhanced during meiosis through processes like crossing-over and independent assortment. Crossing-over involves the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes, while independent assortment results in the random distribution of chromosomes to gametes. Together, these mechanisms contribute to the rich genetic variation observed in populations, ensuring adaptability and evolutionary potential.