answersLogoWhite

0

What happen with mutations?

Updated: 8/10/2023
User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

Best Answer

Mutations are rare, random changes in DNA. A human has 50% DNA from a mother and 50% from a father. These two half are nearly identical to the DNA given by the parents. In the 3,000,000,000 base pairs in a person's DNA there are only, on average, 150 mutations.

They happen because the DNA processes aren't perfect. Most mutations are small and relate to the insertion, deletion, or swapping of a single base pair. This can cause good, bad, or neutral changes.

Most mutations are neutral and have no effect on the organism because they happen in part of the DNA that doesn't code for a protein. However, when they happen in a coding section, they can change a single codon or even an entire section of codons.

A swap is a single base pair that gets changed. For example, let's take the section of DNA: ATGTGCATG.

Codons are sections of 3 base pairs that code for an animo acid, so from above we have: ATG TGC ATG. An example of a swap would result in ATG TGC A*CG, so only the last codon would be effected. This may not even change which amino acid the codon codes for because there are 64 different combinations and only 20 amino acids so some combinations code for the same thing.

An insertion or deletion are more drastic because they cause a shift. So, using the same DNA as before and modeling an insertion we get: GATGTGCATG. So our codons are now GAT GTG CAT. Each codon could potentially change rather than just one. Deletion works much the same way.
When mutation occurs, there can be damaged done on genes.

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

They damage your DNA, which can cause the production of abnormal cellular products or abnormal production of cellular products.

Better:

Mutations can copy, delete, or shift individual nucleotides, gene fragments, entire genes, or entire chromosomes. Cells are able to repair most errors, but many get through due to the vast number of nucleotides involved. The simplest of these mutations affect only the construction of a single protein, but can still cause illness or increase the risk of illness. However, they are also often redundant, and so are sometimes free to harmlessly mutate into something with a new purpose.

Mutations are not automatically harmful, or the human race would have died out after only a few generations, as we know that, on average, every single human cell or egg contains an average of 129 single nucleotide mutations. Of course, most mutations ARE harmful, and these are quickly selected out of the gene pool. In fact, by comparing our genes with out closest relatives, we have calculated that only about 1 in 65,000 mutations are retained in the long run.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Mutations are changes in the sequence of nitrogenous bases in the chromosome. the four nitrogenous bases in DNA are 1) Adenine 2) Thymine 3) Cytosine $) Guanine. when there bases are altered : insertion, deletion, substitution, etc, a mutation will occur. Mutations are caused by mutagens. Mutagens are anything that causes a mutation; radiation, UV rays, viruses, etc.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Depending on the type of mutation, it can either result in a harmless change in codon sequence, or death due to mixed complications, such as those exhibited by chromosomal mutations.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What happen with mutations?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Can mutations occur in jellyfish?

Mutations happen in ALL living things (and also in viruses)!!!!!!


What is spontaneous and induced mutations?

Mutations which are artifically induced with the help of mutagenic agents are called induced mutations


How do gene mutations happen?

mutation are caused by radiation and are 99.9% harmful


What 3 mutations happen during cell division?

Insertion, Deletion, and Substitution


How many mutations probably happen every billion pairs?

100Answer this question…


Would all mutations to DNA happen to a gene?

all mutations in terms of DNA happen in a gene. here it has to be noted that a gene is made up of two strands of nucleotides which are made up of amino acids. when mutations occur the sequence of nucleotides may change. sometimes a nucleotide may become missing hence the sequence of the strands change. mutations can be harmful but also very beneficial.


Many are caused by factors in the environment such as radiation or chemicals but others happen by chance?

Mutations


How can a person be born without a gallbladder?

It is rare, but genetic mutations like this do happen sometimes.


How does chance play a role in evolution?

Evolution is caused by adaptations (favorable traits) that sometimes come from mutations. Mutations happen by chance, and this is how chance plays a role in evolution.


What does a carcinogen form that gives a person cancer?

It doesnt form anything. What it does is increase your chance of getting mutations within your DNA. And if enough mutations are aquired, then cancer can happen.


What makes mutations happen?

A mutation in humans is caused by a misconnection of DNA chromosomes and cells. Not all mutations are genetics some are just a fluke with the DNA match up.


Is a pesticide resistant bug caused by a mutation or an adaptation?

usually adaptation but mutations could happen