Environmental factors play an important role in causing changes in our genes. These changes can affect how proteins work and how living things look and behave. Let’s break down how this all happens:
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Sources of Mutations:
- Chemical Agents: Some chemicals, like tobacco smoke and certain pesticides, can change the DNA in our cells. This is called a point mutation, and it happens when a single part of the DNA is altered.
- Radiation: Things like UV rays from the sun can cause damage in our DNA, leading to what we call thymine dimers. This can create frameshift mutations, which change how the DNA is read.
- Biological Factors: Viruses can also change our DNA by adding their own genetic material into it. This can lead to mutations as well.
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Types of Mutations:
- Point Mutations: This is when just one small part of the DNA is changed. It can affect a codon, which may lead to a different amino acid being made.
- Frameshift Mutations: These happen when parts of the DNA are added or removed. This can mess up the whole sequence of amino acids that follow.
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Effects:
- These mutations can cause diseases or help living things adapt to their surroundings. They show us how important our environments are in creating genetic diversity.