Question

Describe three examples of errors in cellular processes that lead to DNA duplications.

Short answer

Errors 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.

Step-by-step solution

DNA replication

DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is the genetic componentthat 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.

Errors in DNA 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 meiosiscan 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 aparticular template strand is used twice as a template.

DNA duplication and its implication

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 fromerrors in the replication or during the unequal and improper separation of chromosomes.