answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Genetic mutations are not always harmful to the individual. A few may be beneficial.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Are genetic mutations always harmful to the individual?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

How can mutations be detrimental to an organism?

They are not always harmful. in fact, often they are not. There are many different mutations, but genetic mutations can occur and be harmful to humans. it is important to understand that Genes are not there to cause diseases or be harmful. if a gene is transcribed incorrectly or copied incorrectly, this can result in a single letter of DNA ommitted in a chain. This is harmful because the different parts of the body that transcribe DNA or RNA will not be able to transcribe it as it was intended to be transcribed.


When is a mutation harmful?

Not all mutations are harmful. A mutation the give the organism antibiotic resistance, for example, is quite helpful. A different mutation that causes a necessary protein to misfold may result in death. In general mutations that affect proteins that are necessary for life will result in the death of the organism. One such mutation is in the protein p53 which is necessary to prevent a cell from growing uncontrollable (cancer). A mutation in p53 could result in a cell with damaged DNA to reproduce - this is what we call cancer.


A mutation always affects an organism negatively true or false?

No, but most are. From the standpoint of probability it is much easier to break something than to make it better. Especially when the process is completely random.


What kind of mutations will always be passed to offspring in the gametes or reproductive cells of organisms?

All characteristics were at some point mutations. Successful genetic mutations that are present in a parent in the homozygous form willl always be transmitted into the gametes. Whether the offspring will have the characteristic phenotypically hinges ont the genetics of both parents and which alleles are in the fertilized egg.


What is the difference between genetic polymorphism and mutation?

A mutation is a genetic change that has occurred in an individual organism. (e.g. an A is changed to a G in a cell of an organism.) A polymorphism is the existence of multiple genetic varieties within a population. (e.g. At a particular place in the genome, some organisms within a population have A's and other organisms within the population have G's.) Note: 1. Mutations and polymorphisms can be advantageous, deleterious, or neutral. 2. All polymorphisms began their existence as mutations. A mutation always occurs in an individual, but can become a polymorphism if it is heritable (i.e. if the mutation affected the germ line) and if it succeeds in spreading through a significant proportion of the population.

Related questions

How can mutations be detrimental to an organism?

They are not always harmful. in fact, often they are not. There are many different mutations, but genetic mutations can occur and be harmful to humans. it is important to understand that Genes are not there to cause diseases or be harmful. if a gene is transcribed incorrectly or copied incorrectly, this can result in a single letter of DNA ommitted in a chain. This is harmful because the different parts of the body that transcribe DNA or RNA will not be able to transcribe it as it was intended to be transcribed.


When is a mutation harmful?

Not all mutations are harmful. A mutation the give the organism antibiotic resistance, for example, is quite helpful. A different mutation that causes a necessary protein to misfold may result in death. In general mutations that affect proteins that are necessary for life will result in the death of the organism. One such mutation is in the protein p53 which is necessary to prevent a cell from growing uncontrollable (cancer). A mutation in p53 could result in a cell with damaged DNA to reproduce - this is what we call cancer.


Is mutation always harmful for human body?

No. Although there is a chance of a beneficial mutation, the chance of it occurring is almost astronomical. Most mutations are harmful to humans.


Is mutation always bad true or false?

No, not all the time Mutations can be harmful, helpful, or neutral.


A mutation always affects an organism negatively true or false?

No, but most are. From the standpoint of probability it is much easier to break something than to make it better. Especially when the process is completely random.


What precautions need to be taken when doing genetic testing?

Because genetic testing is not always accurate and because there are many concerns surrounding insurance and employment discrimination for the individual receiving a genetic test, genetic counseling should always be.


What kind of mutations will always be passed to offspring in the gametes or reproductive cells of organisms?

All characteristics were at some point mutations. Successful genetic mutations that are present in a parent in the homozygous form willl always be transmitted into the gametes. Whether the offspring will have the characteristic phenotypically hinges ont the genetics of both parents and which alleles are in the fertilized egg.


What is the difference between genetic polymorphism and mutation?

A mutation is a genetic change that has occurred in an individual organism. (e.g. an A is changed to a G in a cell of an organism.) A polymorphism is the existence of multiple genetic varieties within a population. (e.g. At a particular place in the genome, some organisms within a population have A's and other organisms within the population have G's.) Note: 1. Mutations and polymorphisms can be advantageous, deleterious, or neutral. 2. All polymorphisms began their existence as mutations. A mutation always occurs in an individual, but can become a polymorphism if it is heritable (i.e. if the mutation affected the germ line) and if it succeeds in spreading through a significant proportion of the population.


Why aren't all mutations bad?

Mutations are unnatural changes in the body or behavior. They are not always bad. For instance, the skin of the poison tree frog is not really bad at all. It rubs itself on poison leaves and mutated itself not to be affected.


Are mutations in the DNA sequence gene transient changes?

Successful mutations will persist. Mutations usually occur during replication. Some mutations will flourish depending on environmental factors.


What is a detrimental gene?

A deleterious mutation has a negative effect on the phenotype, and thus decreases the fitness of the organism. (A harmful mutation)


What is the difference between a genetic disorder and a genetic mutation?

A genetic disorder is something an individual is born with, and results from a problem within their genetic material. This means they have inherited the disease or disorder from their Mother or Father. You cannot inherit an infectious disease, you acquire it during your lifetime from a germ, such as a virus or a bacterium. You can also recover from an infectious disease, whereas you will always suffer from a genetic disorder if you inherit one.