answersLogoWhite

0

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

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

If genetic mutation almost always leads to sterilization and death then how can evolution be true?

Genetic mutation does not always lead to sterilization as you point out. This however is not the way evolution happens. Evolution occurs mainly through small adaptive changes over a long period of time that are not mutations. Evolution does not happen suddenly.


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.


Which of these statements represents a common misconception regarding point mutations?

mutations increase variety in a population. (apex)


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

Can mutations be helpful orr are they always bad?

Mutations can be both helpful and harmful. Beneficial mutations can lead to adaptations that increase an organism's chances of survival or reproductive success, while harmful mutations can lead to genetic disorders or reduced fitness. The role of mutations in evolution is complex and depends on the specific environment and genetic context.


Are mutations always bad for an organism?

Mutations are changes in an organism's DNA that can be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect at all. While some mutations can be harmful and lead to diseases or disorders, others can be beneficial and provide an advantage in certain environments. So, mutations are not always bad for an organism.


What can mutations do and do not do?

Mutations can introduce genetic variation within a population, which can lead to diversity, adaptation, and evolution. However, mutations do not always result in beneficial changes and can also lead to genetic disorders or diseases.


If genetic mutation almost always leads to sterilization and death then how can evolution be true?

Genetic mutation does not always lead to sterilization as you point out. This however is not the way evolution happens. Evolution occurs mainly through small adaptive changes over a long period of time that are not mutations. Evolution does not happen suddenly.


Is mutation always bad true or false?

False. Mutation is a natural process that can result in positive, negative, or neutral impacts on an organism. While some mutations can be harmful and lead to diseases or disorders, others can be beneficial and contribute to evolution by providing genetic variation.


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.


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.


Which of these statements represents a common misconception regarding point mutations?

mutations increase variety in a population. (apex)


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.


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.


A mutation always affects an organism negatively true or false?

False. Mutations can have various effects on organisms, ranging from beneficial (e.g., providing resistance to disease) to neutral (having no significant impact) to harmful (causing health issues). The impact of a mutation depends on the specific change in the genetic material and the environment in which the organism lives.


Is 'mutations are beneficial to organisms' a true statement about mutations?

Not always. Mutations can have either beneficial, neutral, or harmful effects on organisms. Whether a mutation is beneficial or not depends on how it impacts the organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.