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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.
What else can I help you with?
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 mutation occurs in a brain cell this mutation will be passed on to?
A mutation taking place in brain cell can't be passed on to next generation but it may cause a tumor .
What type of cell must contain a mutation in order for the mutation to be passed from a women to her offspring?
The mutation must be present in the egg cell (oocyte) of the woman in order for it to be passed on to her offspring. Sperm cells from the father do not contain the cytoplasm that would carry the mutation.
Will a point mutation cause the cell to make an incomplete polypeptide if the mutation results in a stop codon?
Yes, a point mutation will cause the cell to make an incompelete polypeptide chain that is non-functional, if the mutation results in a stop codon. This type of a mutation is also called as the Nonsense 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 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 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 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 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.
How does a mutation in a sex differ from a from a mutation in a non-sex cell?
A mutation in a sex cell, such as a sperm or egg cell, can be passed on to offspring and affect future generations. In contrast, a mutation in a non-sex cell will only affect the individual and is not passed on to offspring.
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.
What can result in Cell death or mutation?
Deviation can destroy cell, causing death/mutation.
A change in the genetic material of a cell is called?
Cancer- certain mutations (changes) in a cell's genetic material may cause that cell to reproduce with out control.
Is sickle cell anemia a point mutation?
An example of point-mutation is sickle-cell anemia. Sickle-cell disease is hereditary.
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.
