Textbook Question
UV irradiation causes damage to bacterial DNA. What kind of damage is frequently caused and how does photolyase repair the damage?
Ch. 11 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Homologous Recombination
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - The Molecular Basis of Heredity, Variation, and Evolution64
- Ch. 2 - Transmission Genetics144
- Ch. 3 - Cell Division and Chromosome Heredity81
- Ch. 4 - Gene Interaction87
- Ch. 5 - Genetic Linkage and Mapping in Eukaryotes103
- Ch. 6 - Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages73
- Ch. 7 - DNA Structure and Replication71
- Ch. 8 - Molecular Biology of Transcription and RNA Processing79
- Ch. 9 - The Molecular Biology of Translation110
- Ch. 10 - Eukaryotic Chromosome Abnormalities and Molecular Organization100
- Ch. 11 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Homologous Recombination86
- Ch. 12 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria and Bacteriophage90
- Ch. 13 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes38
- Ch. 14 - Analysis of Gene Function via Forward Genetics and Reverse Genetics72
- Ch. 15 - Recombinant DNA Technology and Its Applications69
- Ch. 16 - Genomics: Genetics from a Whole-Genome Perspective49
- Ch. 17 - Organelle Inheritance and the Evolution of Organelle Genomes27
- Ch. 18 - Developmental Genetics43
- Ch. 19 - Genetic Analysis of Quantitative Traits66
- Ch. 20 - Population Genetics and Evolution at the Population, Species, and Molecular Levels105
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
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Sanders 3rd EditionCh. 11 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Homologous RecombinationProblem 6a
Sanders 3rd EditionCh. 11 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Homologous RecombinationProblem 6aChapter 11, Problem 6a
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is mutagenic.
What kind of DNA lesion does UV energy cause?
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Understand that ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light, and it has enough energy to interact with DNA molecules.
Learn that UV radiation primarily causes the formation of pyrimidine dimers, which are covalent bonds between adjacent pyrimidine bases (thymine or cytosine) on the same DNA strand.
Recognize that the most common type of pyrimidine dimer is the thymine dimer, where two adjacent thymine bases become covalently linked due to UV exposure.
Understand that these pyrimidine dimers distort the DNA structure, interfering with replication and transcription processes, which can lead to mutations if not repaired.
Explore the DNA repair mechanisms, such as nucleotide excision repair (NER), which cells use to detect and remove pyrimidine dimers, restoring the DNA to its original state.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
DNA Lesions
DNA lesions are structural alterations in the DNA molecule that can disrupt its normal function. These lesions can arise from various sources, including environmental factors like UV radiation, which can cause specific types of damage. Understanding DNA lesions is crucial for studying mutagenesis and the mechanisms of DNA repair.
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01:45
DNA Proofreading
Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun and artificial sources. It is known to cause damage to DNA by inducing the formation of pyrimidine dimers, primarily thymine dimers, which can lead to mutations if not repaired. This type of radiation is a significant factor in skin cancer and other genetic disorders.
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04:29Induced Mutations
DNA Repair Mechanisms
DNA repair mechanisms are cellular processes that correct damage to the DNA structure. These mechanisms are essential for maintaining genomic stability and preventing mutations. In the case of UV-induced lesions, nucleotide excision repair is a primary pathway that removes damaged sections of DNA and synthesizes new, correct sequences.
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05:44Repair Pathways
Related Practice
Textbook Question
In March 2011 an earthquake measuring approximately 9.0 on the Richter scale struck Fukushima, Japan. Several nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daichii Nuclear Power Plant were damaged, and nuclear core meltdown occurred. A massive release of radiation accompanied damage to the plant, and 5 years later the incidence of thyroid cancer in children exposed to the radiation was determined to be well over 100 times more frequent than expected without radiation exposure. DNA damage and mutations resulting from radiation exposure are suspected of causing this increased cancer rate. What gene discussed in this chapter might be responsible for pausing the cell cycle of dividing cells long enough for radiation-induced damage to be repaired in cells?
Textbook Question
In March 2011 an earthquake measuring approximately 9.0 on the Richter scale struck Fukushima, Japan. Several nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daichii Nuclear Power Plant were damaged, and nuclear core meltdown occurred. A massive release of radiation accompanied damage to the plant, and 5 years later the incidence of thyroid cancer in children exposed to the radiation was determined to be well over 100 times more frequent than expected without radiation exposure. DNA damage and mutations resulting from radiation exposure are suspected of causing this increased cancer rate. Do you think it is possible that significant increases in the incidence of other types of cancer will occur in the future among people who were exposed to the Fukushima radiation? Why?
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Textbook Question
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is mutagenic.
How do UV-induced DNA lesions lead to mutation?
Textbook Question
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is mutagenic.
Identify and describe two DNA repair mechanisms that remove UV-induced DNA lesions.
Textbook Question
Researchers interested in studying mutation and mutation repair often induce mutations with various agents. What kinds of gene mutations are induced by
Chemical mutagens? Give two examples.