Genetic mutations are changes in the DNA of a living thing. These changes can happen for many reasons, and it's important to understand them, especially in Year 12 Biology when studying genetics.
Mutations can happen in a few different ways:
Spontaneous Mutations: These happen naturally when DNA is copied. Sometimes, the DNA copying enzyme, called DNA polymerase, makes mistakes. There are ways for the cell to fix these mistakes, but not all of them get caught.
Induced Mutations: These are caused by outside factors, often called mutagens. Some common ones include:
There are a few main types of mutations:
Point Mutations: These are changes in a single unit of DNA. For example, if an adenine (A) is swapped with a thymine (T), it's called a substitution mutation. This can have different effects:
Frameshift Mutations: These happen when DNA units are added or taken away. This changes how the DNA is read and can create a completely different protein.
Large-Scale Mutations: Sometimes, big chunks of DNA, including entire genes, can be copied or deleted, which can greatly affect how an organism looks or acts.
Mutations can have different effects. Some are neutral or even helpful, possibly giving an organism traits that improve its chance of survival. But some mutations can cause diseases, like cystic fibrosis, which is linked to changes in the CFTR gene.
Understanding these effects is very important in genetics and how living things evolve. It helps us see how species can change and adapt over time.
Genetic mutations are changes in the DNA of a living thing. These changes can happen for many reasons, and it's important to understand them, especially in Year 12 Biology when studying genetics.
Mutations can happen in a few different ways:
Spontaneous Mutations: These happen naturally when DNA is copied. Sometimes, the DNA copying enzyme, called DNA polymerase, makes mistakes. There are ways for the cell to fix these mistakes, but not all of them get caught.
Induced Mutations: These are caused by outside factors, often called mutagens. Some common ones include:
There are a few main types of mutations:
Point Mutations: These are changes in a single unit of DNA. For example, if an adenine (A) is swapped with a thymine (T), it's called a substitution mutation. This can have different effects:
Frameshift Mutations: These happen when DNA units are added or taken away. This changes how the DNA is read and can create a completely different protein.
Large-Scale Mutations: Sometimes, big chunks of DNA, including entire genes, can be copied or deleted, which can greatly affect how an organism looks or acts.
Mutations can have different effects. Some are neutral or even helpful, possibly giving an organism traits that improve its chance of survival. But some mutations can cause diseases, like cystic fibrosis, which is linked to changes in the CFTR gene.
Understanding these effects is very important in genetics and how living things evolve. It helps us see how species can change and adapt over time.