Genetic Mutations
When Genetic mutations occur, it is caused by a mistake while the cells are being divided. A small difference in the original DNA sequence causes mutations.
The cell that is carrying a mutated gene will usually die because it cannot function properly, even if the cell does not die, it is very rare that it can affect anything due to the fact it is one abnormal cell among billions. Mutation’s occurring during formation of a gamete can survive and connect with another gamete and form an individual one causing a genetic mutation.
Any mutation can be passed on to the next generation, which can cause serious problems( Etc.. Blood disorders, sickle cell and colour blindness). This is caused by an alteration to a single based pair in the genes. Exposure to specific radiation or chemicals can cause mutations. These break down the DNA, when the cell repairs the DNA, it does not always do a perfect job repairing it, these are called mutagens.
A mutation that is in a chromosome, causes a major alteration to one or more chromosome’s. It can even change the number of chromosome’s we have. Being born with a extra copy of chromosome’s can cause mental and physical disorders. Mutations can have very big to no effect, depending where the mutation is, it can effect the way an organism is built. These mutated genes can cause how our genes work.
Even though most mutations that cause an obvious change to an organism are harmful, on some occasions a mutation can actually help an organism survive. When this organism then reproduces it then might pass this on to its offspring. This may cause an evolution in the organism, that will cause an evolution in that organism.
Explanation :Genetic mutations was my key learning point because I found it really interesting how a single mistake in cell division can cause mutations in a organism. Genetic mutations can cause deformities and health problems. They can be passed on to the next generation, or they can even help an organism where they change and adapt over time.
Website
:
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/0_0_0/mutations_04
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders/genemutation
These website’s are good at explaining my key points because they explain every type of genetic mutation and what causes them. The website shows diagrams and gives examples of the mutations and the genes to help explain things better. They had analogies, comparing mutations that control genes to a orchestra conductor.
Book:
Cell Division and Genetics- Robert Snedden
This book is very helpful to my topic because, it has diagrams, photos and definitions to help make more sense of what they are teaching in the book. In this book it has every step in genetics and the reasons why everything is happening. The section this book had on genetic mutations was two pages long, it was very helpful on explaining my key learning point.
