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Mutations can pose varying levels of danger to the cell. The reason they can be bad is because DNA produces mRNA, which is used to produce proteins. A mutation is comparable to a typo in an instruction manual; how harmful it is depends on which letter is changed in which word. Like, if the instruction book is for how to make a sandwich, and the typo turns "the" into "teh," it doesn't really affect the meaning. On the other hand, if it turns "bread" into "beard," then you have a problem.
Same with mutations: they impede function by changing the protein-building instructions and causing the cell to produce a messed-up protein. Sometimes the protein is close enough in structure to the original and the cell can just roll with it,, but occasionally it changes a protein so drastically the cell can't use it at all. The danger with that depends on what a protein does. If it has the same function as a bunch of others or does something the cell an live without, it may not be dangerous. But if it happens to be the only protein a cell makes that does something, and the cell cannot live or function properly without it... then there's a pretty big problem.
Cells deal with mutations by, first of all, trying their best to keep them from happening. Back to the instruction book example: We assume this book was written on a computer with a word processing program, and, like most word processing programs, it has spell check. The "the-teh" typo would have been caught and likely changed to "the", while the "bread-beard" one would not have. So the typo that most changed the meaning of the manual would have slipped by the spell checker. And that seems to be what happens with mutations. For example, some of the most dangerous diseases come from a one-base change in the DNA code. For some reason, DNA's built-in spell checker doesn't catch it, although it will catch almost anything else. Odd thing is, though, that if any other nucleotide in the code for the protein that ends up messed up and causes the disease had been changed, the protein would have been fine and the disease wouldn't happen.
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How does a mutation in a sex cell differ from a mutation in a non- sex cell?
A mutation in a sex cell may be passed on to an offspring. A mutation in a somatic (body) cell cannot be passed on to an offspring, but can potentially cause cancer in the person who has the mutation.
How does a mutation in a sex cells differ from a mutation in a non sex cell?
A mutation in a sex cell may be passed on to an offspring. A mutation in a somatic (body) cell cannot be passed on to an offspring, but can potentially cause cancer in the person who has the mutation.
What cell mutation can be inherited?
Sickle cell anemia is an example of a cell mutation that can be inherited.
A mutation that occurs in a diploid cell can be inherited only if?
Mutation occurs in a cell that produces gemetes
What type of cell must contain a mutation in order for the mutation to be passed from a women to her offspring?
a) blood cell
How does a mutation in a sex cell differ in a mutation in a non-sex cell?
A mutation in a sex cell may be passed on to an offspring. A mutation in a somatic (body) cell cannot be passed on to an offspring, but can potentially cause cancer in the person who has the mutation.
How does a mutation in sex cell differ from mutation in a non sex cell?
A mutation in a sex cell may be passed on to an offspring. A mutation in a somatic (body) cell cannot be passed on to an offspring, but can potentially cause cancer in the person who has the mutation.
How does a mutation in a sex cell differ from a mutation in a non- sex cell?
A mutation in a sex cell may be passed on to an offspring. A mutation in a somatic (body) cell cannot be passed on to an offspring, but can potentially cause cancer in the person who has the mutation.
How does mutation in a sex cell differ from mutation in a non-sex cell?
A mutation in a sex cell may be passed on to an offspring. A mutation in a somatic (body) cell cannot be passed on to an offspring, but can potentially cause cancer in the person who has the mutation.
How does a mutation in a sex differ from a from a mutation in a non-sex cell?
A mutation in a sex cell can be passed on to an offspring. A mutation in a non-sex cell cannot be passed on to an offspring.
How does a mutation in a cell affect an organism?
A mutation in a sex cell means that the mutation can be passed on to the individuals offspring. If the mutation just occurred in a somatic cell, it would not be passed down.
What cell mutation can be inherited?
Sickle cell anemia is an example of a cell mutation that can be inherited.
How does a mutation in a sex cells differ from a mutation in a non sex cell?
A mutation in a sex cell may be passed on to an offspring. A mutation in a somatic (body) cell cannot be passed on to an offspring, but can potentially cause cancer in the person who has the mutation.
How does a mutation in a sex cells differ in a mutation in a non sex cell?
A mutation in a sex cell may be passed on to an offspring. A mutation in a somatic (body) cell cannot be passed on to an offspring, but can potentially cause cancer in the person who has the mutation.
Explain why a mutation in a sperm or egg cell has different consequences that one in a heart cell?
A mutation in a sperm or egg cell means that the mutation while most likely be passed down to the offspring of that organism. If the mutation is in anything but a gamete, it will not be passed down.
What can result in Cell death or mutation?
Deviation can destroy cell, causing death/mutation.
A mutation that occurs in a diploid cell can be inherited only if?
Mutation occurs in a cell that produces gemetes
