Mutations in DNA can change how living things look and work. These changes can have many different effects.
A mutation happens when there is a change in the sequence of DNA. This can happen for several reasons, such as mistakes when DNA is copied, exposure to harmful substances, or infections from viruses.
Substitutions: This is when one part of the DNA is swapped for another. It can lead to:
Insertions and Deletions: These mutations add or remove parts of DNA. This can cause:
For every generation of humans, about 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 100,000 pieces of DNA might be mutated. How often this happens can depend on things in the environment.
Mutations are a major cause of cancer. Around half of all cancers involve mutations. For example, a specific mutation called TP53 is found in more than half of cancers.
Change in Function: A mutation can change how a protein works. For example, there is a mutation in hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in the blood) that changes the shape of red blood cells. This is known as the sickle cell mutation, which makes it hard for the cells to carry oxygen.
Helping Evolution: Some mutations can give an advantage to living things, helping them survive in new or challenging environments.
Mutations affect the structure of DNA, which can change how living things function. These effects can be harmless or serious, and they have important impacts on health, the way species evolve, and the diversity of life. Learning about mutations is important for many fields, including genetics, medicine, and understanding how life has changed over time.
Mutations in DNA can change how living things look and work. These changes can have many different effects.
A mutation happens when there is a change in the sequence of DNA. This can happen for several reasons, such as mistakes when DNA is copied, exposure to harmful substances, or infections from viruses.
Substitutions: This is when one part of the DNA is swapped for another. It can lead to:
Insertions and Deletions: These mutations add or remove parts of DNA. This can cause:
For every generation of humans, about 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 100,000 pieces of DNA might be mutated. How often this happens can depend on things in the environment.
Mutations are a major cause of cancer. Around half of all cancers involve mutations. For example, a specific mutation called TP53 is found in more than half of cancers.
Change in Function: A mutation can change how a protein works. For example, there is a mutation in hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in the blood) that changes the shape of red blood cells. This is known as the sickle cell mutation, which makes it hard for the cells to carry oxygen.
Helping Evolution: Some mutations can give an advantage to living things, helping them survive in new or challenging environments.
Mutations affect the structure of DNA, which can change how living things function. These effects can be harmless or serious, and they have important impacts on health, the way species evolve, and the diversity of life. Learning about mutations is important for many fields, including genetics, medicine, and understanding how life has changed over time.