Mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism. This change can be caused by various factors such as exposure to radiation, chemicals, or errors in DNA replication. Mutations can be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect on an organism. They can lead to genetic disorders, diseases, or even contribute to the evolution of a species.
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Google Gemini AI
2 hours ago
Mutation
Definition:
Mutation is a permanent change in the DNA sequence of an organism, which is the heritable material that contains genetic instructions. Mutations can be inherited or acquired during an organism's lifetime.
Types of Mutations:
- Point mutations: Changes in a single nucleotide base (e.g., A to G). - Insertions: Addition of one or more nucleotide bases into the DNA sequence. - Deletions: Removal of one or more nucleotide bases from the DNA sequence. - Inversions: Reversal of the orientation of a segment of DNA. - Translocations: Movement of a segment of DNA from one chromosome to another.
Causes of Mutations:
- Errors during DNA replication - Environmental factors (e.g., radiation, chemicals) - Transposable elements (also known as jumping genes)
Effects of Mutations:
- Silent mutations: No change in the amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by the gene. - Missense mutations: Change in the amino acid sequence, potentially altering the function of the protein. - Nonsense mutations: Introduce a stop codon into the gene, leading to a truncated protein. - Frameshift mutations: Alter the reading frame of the gene, resulting in a different amino acid sequence. - Regulatory mutations: Affect the expression or regulation of a gene, without altering its sequence.
Consequences of Mutations:
- Beneficial mutations: Can confer an advantage to the organism (e.g., resistance to disease or improved fitness). - Deleterious mutations: Can be harmful or even lethal to the organism. - Neutral mutations: Have no significant effect on the organism.
Importance of Mutations:
Mutations are essential for evolution and genetic variation. They provide the raw material for natural selection, allowing populations to adapt to changing environments. In some cases, mutations can lead to genetic diseases or developmental disorders.