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What would happen if a cell was missing genetic information?
Without DNA, cells could not reproduce, which would mean extinction of the species. Normally, the nucleus makes copies of chromosomal DNA, then segments of DNA recombine, and next the chromosomes divide twice, forming four haploid egg or sperm cells.
Why do our cells need genetic information?
DNA serves two important cellular functions: It is the genetic material passed from parent to offspring and it serves as the information to direct and regulate the construction of the proteins necessary for the cell to perform all of its functions.
What happens if you are missing a gene?
The mutation changes the gene’s instructions for making a protein, so the protein does not work properly or is missing entirely. This can cause a medical condition called a genetic disorder. You can inherit a gene mutation from one or both parents.
What cell has no genetic information?
Prokaryotes are organisms whose cells lack a nucleus and other organelles. Prokaryotes are divided into two distinct groups: the bacteria and the archaea, which scientists believe have unique evolutionary lineages. Most prokaryotes are small, single-celled organisms that have a relatively simple structure.
What happens when genetics go wrong?
These alterations are called mutations, and can accumulate over a lifetime. Errors in genes that control cell division can cause cancers. For a cell to become cancerous, a number of genetic mutations have to take place. Some people are born with one of these mutations, such as BRCA1 for breast cancer.
Where in a cell would you find genetic information?
Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).
What happens when mitosis goes wrong BBC Bitesize?
If there is a mutation in the DNA of a person that stops the correct signals being sent to cells, cells may start to divide even though they don’t need to. Mitosis is no longer controlled properly. When the cell divides many times by mitosis, a lump of cells can form, which is called a tumour .