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Changes to DNA (mutation) are not necessarily harmful. Species are essentially a conglomeration of mutations which result a vast array of beneficial characteristics.

Detrimental mutations generally result in death during early pregnancy, others may predispose an individual to death by cancer or disease at an early age and still others have a dramatic effect on the life of the affected individuals.

Breeds of domestic animals are great examples of how many mutations there are within a species that are not specifically harmful. (There are over 500 breeds of dog for example.)

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8y ago
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11y ago

The mutagen will increase the rate of mutations in the gene (or sometimes the whole chromosome) and can effect you drastically in many cases.


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Q: Why are most mutations harmful?
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Why are some mutation not harmful?

Some mutations can be deadly, harmful, or have no effect. Correct, not all mutations are harmful. Some mutations could even have a positive effect and help the creature adapt.


Are genetic mutations always harmful to the individual?

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


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.


Why all mutation are not necessarily harmful?

Mutations are changes in DNA. Most are neutral or beneficial. Mutations have allowed animals to adapt to new environments and new species to evolve.


Can mutations be beneficial?

They can certainly be either. When researching it closely scientists have found a lot of mutations which don't seem to have any influence. "Bad" mutations tends not to be functional, and often disappear pretty much by themselves one way or another.


What kind of mutations do you think would be harmful to an organism?

The majority of mutations that organisms get are harmful or neutral. Cancer is an example of a harmful mutation. So are certain genetic diseases and deformities, like an extra set of limbs.


Which mutation is the most dangerous?

There is no definite answer to this question many types of mutations can cause death and I'd say that's the most dangerous effect of a mutation. Large Scale mutations, like deletions or amplifications, usually cause the most damage because they effect whole chromosomes. Small Scale mutations are usually less dangerous because they only effect one gene. The worst small scale mutations are insertions and deletions because they change the reading frame. In my personal opinion, harmful mutations that occur in the tumor suppressor genes are the most dangerous because they are what prevent the mutations in cell from being duplicated and without them working a mutated cell can replicate uncontrollably.


Are all mutation harmful?

Mutations that succeed [are beneficial] provide Evolution, so not at all.


Do all mutations affect the protein results?

No. Point mutations may have no effect on the protein, however, they can also be very harmful.


What causes genetic mutations?

Mutations are changes in the nucleotide sequences in a genome. Most often, these minor mistaks are corrected by in-built repair mechanisms and many mutations go unnoticed an are not harmful. Harmful mutations cause diseases in many cases. There are several factors that promote the formation of mutations. These factors are called mutagenic agents. Mutagenic agents are divided into: chemical and physical mutagens. UV radiation is an example of a physical mutagen and Nitrous acid is an expample of a chemical mutagen


How do gene mutations happen?

mutation are caused by radiation and are 99.9% harmful


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.