Causes and effects of mutation
Mutation is a change in a The basic unit of genetic material inherited from our parents. A gene is a section of DNA which controls part of a cell's chemistry - particularly protein production. or The structure made of DNA that codes for all the characteristics of an organism.. It is a rare, random change in the genetic material, and in some cases it can be inherited.
Causes of mutation
Mutation can be spontaneous. It just happens, or it can happen because of:
- ionising radiation
- chemical A physical or chemical agent that can induce or increase the frequency of mutation in an organism. – such as tar from cigarette smoke
Ionising radiation includes gamma rays, X-rays, and ultraviolet rays. The greater the dose of Energy carried by particles from a radioactive substance, or spreading out from a source. a cell gets, the greater the chance of mutation.
Effects of mutation
A mutation may be A neutral mutation is a change in the DNA of an organism that has no effect on the organism itself. and have no effect. For example, the protein that a mutated gene produces may work just as well as the protein from the normal gene.
A mutation may sometimes be beneficial. For example, people who are carriers (heterozygous) for the sickle cell One of a number of forms of a particular gene. are more resistant to malaria (a tropical disease) than people who do not have the mutated gene.
Some mutations can be harmful. A change in the gene might produce a faulty or non-functioning protein, resulting in a genetic disease, such as cystic fibrosis.
More guides on this topic
- Classification and biodiversity – WJEC
- Cell division and stem cells – WJEC
- DNA and inheritance – WJEC
- Variation – WJEC
- Evolution – WJEC
- The nervous system – WJEC
- Homeostasis – WJEC
- The role of the kidneys in homeostasis – WJEC
- Micro-organisms and their applications – WJEC
- Disease, defence and treatment – WJEC
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