Q1CC
Question
Describe three examples of errors in cellular processes that lead to DNA duplications.
Step-by-Step Solution
VerifiedErrors in specific cellular responses, such as abnormal separation of the homologous chromosome during meiosis I and unequal crossing over during the prophase of meiosis I, can cause duplication of DNA. A slippage during replication might also cause DNA duplication.
DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is the genetic component that results in the production of multiple DNA strands. It is an enzyme-dependent process that employs numerous polymerases and nucleotides. The process contains three broad stages, namely, initiation, elongation, and termination.
A replication fork is primarily formed before initiation, enabling the unwinding of the coiled double-helical structure of DNA into a single strand for proper replication.
DNA replication might be subjected to erroneous cellular processes that can produce abnormal numbers of DNA:
Meiosis employs numerous steps; the first stage is prophase. During error in separating homologous chromosomes, the process can produce an extra set of chromosomes leading to polyploidy.
Improper crossing over during prophase I of meiosis can cause DNA duplication. Here, a non-sister chromatid can cross over along with the sister chromatids forming another set of chromosomes.
Template shift can also cause DNA duplication where a particular template strand is used twice as a template.
Due to errors in some cellular processes, genetic material (DNA) duplication might occur. The DNA duplication can lead to polyploidy which is often found in plants.
Duplication of DNA can result from errors in the replication or during the unequal and improper separation of chromosomes.