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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.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoMutations that cause the wrong expression of essential proteins can be harmful to organisms. Certain important functions like growth or division could be affected by mutations. Certain mutations could turn off the cells ability to stop dividing, leading to uncontrolled cell division, more commonly known as cancer
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Why are mutations detrimental to the organism in which they take place?
certain mutations can result in certain proteins not being formed or not being formed in te right shape. As a result the chemical reaction facilitated by that reaction does not take place and the organism is not able to survive as easily
How are mutations returned to normal in an organism?
Mutations on recessive genes return to normal in an organism
Why is sexual reproduction considered better from an evolutionary standpoint?
Sexual reproduction, as opposed to asexual reproduction, combines the genomes of two different individuals to create a new genome in the offspring. This new genome has the potential to include the beneficial (or detrimental) alleles (genes) from each individual, thus driving evolution. An individual which reproduces by asexual reproduction is restricted to evolution by mutation (or complicated mechanisms such as horizontal gene transfer but that's a much bigger issue). Mutation can be good or bad, either helping the organism adapt to the environment or worsening its ability to survive and reproduce, an asexual organism is stuck with the mutations it acquires. Sexually reproducing individuals can have mutations as well, but then those mutations that the offspring acquire may be balanced out, i.e. beneficial mutations are selected for, detrimental ones are selected against and then individuals with different beneficial mutations can bring such advantages together in their offspring. Put simply, sexual reproduction increases the evolvability of an organism.
Can some DNA mutations be beneficial to an organism?
Gene mutations may have positive or negative effects. Without "positive" gene mutations, a species would not be able to improve itself over time, in order to make it more it more adaptable to its environment. "Negative" gene mutations, by their very nature and definition, tend not to be able to survive in their environment.
Do neutral mutations affect biodiversity?
Type your answer here... no, neutral mutations do not affect biodiversity as they are a simple change which does not affect the organism in any way
Why are mutations detrimental to the organism in which they take place?
certain mutations can result in certain proteins not being formed or not being formed in te right shape. As a result the chemical reaction facilitated by that reaction does not take place and the organism is not able to survive as easily
How can mutations affect an organism?
It depends on if it is in the germ line or in a somatic Cell. In the germ line a mutation can cause birth defects or lethal mutations. In somatic Cells it can cause cancer. The Genetic Mutation will have either of these effects: either beneficial or detrimental.
How are mutations returned to normal in an organism?
Mutations on recessive genes return to normal in an organism
Are all mutation detrimental?
Certainly not, some mutations create novelty in the organisms.
Why do mutations that occur in the skin or nervous system tend to have little effect on the evolution of a species?
Most mutations that occur have a neutral effect, or none at all, so they would not affect evolution. Organisms with mutations that cause detrimental impact typically will not survive; therefore, they will not reproduce, and the mutation will not be passed on, so the species will not be affected overall. Beneficial mutations are typically the only mutations that will affect an organism's posterity and the evolution of its species, but good mutations are very rare. This is why most mutations have little effect on the evolution of a species.
A characteristic of mutations is that they usually?
Mutations are random. They may be beneficial, detrimental, or have no effect at all.
How do mutations organism?
Mutations can give an organism diseases and all kinds of malfunctions of their organs. It can affects their life span and how they live about. Some mutations can be awful like that, but other times it can be very helpful and actually help an organism have a better life.
What is the same between mutation and adaptation?
Mutations are changes in the DNA of an organism. If these mutations help an organism survive in its environment, it would be considered an adaption.
How can embryology show that organisms are related?
It can be a good indication because mutations affecting embryos are especially detrimental, and so such mutations accumulate less over time.
Why is sexual reproduction considered better from an evolutionary standpoint?
Sexual reproduction, as opposed to asexual reproduction, combines the genomes of two different individuals to create a new genome in the offspring. This new genome has the potential to include the beneficial (or detrimental) alleles (genes) from each individual, thus driving evolution. An individual which reproduces by asexual reproduction is restricted to evolution by mutation (or complicated mechanisms such as horizontal gene transfer but that's a much bigger issue). Mutation can be good or bad, either helping the organism adapt to the environment or worsening its ability to survive and reproduce, an asexual organism is stuck with the mutations it acquires. Sexually reproducing individuals can have mutations as well, but then those mutations that the offspring acquire may be balanced out, i.e. beneficial mutations are selected for, detrimental ones are selected against and then individuals with different beneficial mutations can bring such advantages together in their offspring. Put simply, sexual reproduction increases the evolvability of an organism.
What genetic material are called mutations?
Sudden genetic change in the DNA of an organism called mutations.
How do lethal mutations and neutral mutations differ?
Lethal mutations cause such a radical change that the organism cannot live with it and dies. A neutral mutation is a simple change that does not affect the organism in any way, such as a new eye colour.
