Genetic Mutation And Genetic Mutations - 1079 Words

A genetic mutation occurs after the formation of the DNA sequence has been altered (Reference, 2016). Some mutations are easily noticed; others are well hidden. Depending on which mutation the individual has depends on how severe or obvious the mutation is. There are several different mutations an individual can have, and some individuals may have more than one. Although mutations can be harmless, they can still be a hindrance to the individual who has it. Different mutations are caused by different defects. Some mutations are caused by missing chromosomes, others are caused by a duplicated, or even substituted chromosomes (Wikipedia, 2016). But mutations do serve a purpose. Some add beauty, others add defenses. Nevertheless, mutations do†¦show more content†¦Either way, the mutation is there, even if you can’t see it. Mutations can be sorted into four groups; Substitutions, Insertions, Duplications, and Deletions. Each of these categories create a different set of m utations. Depending on the category depends on the mutation. Some of the broader categories can be split into subcategories (Wikipedia, 2016). For example, Substitutions has three subcategories: Silent Mutations, Nonsense Mutations, and Missense Mutations. These mutations add, stop, and decrease the amount of amino acid that is used in a gene (Wikipedia, 2016). Like Insertions, Deletions has sub categories as well: Interstitial Deletions, Chromosomal Inversions, Chromosomal Translocations, and Loss of Heterozygosity. These mutations delete parts of the DNA, reverse the orientation of the chromosomal segment, interchange areas of non-homologous chromosomes, and/or cause the DNA to lose an allele (Wikipedia, 2016). Insertions happen when one or more extra nucleotides, or a â€Å"base pairs†, are inserted into the DNA (Evolution.berkeley.edu, 2016). Partnering with the Frameshift Mutation, Insertions can alter the amino acid in the DNA strands. The e xtra acid may affect the function of the proteins in the cell (Wikipedia, 2016). Duplications also has subcategories: Retrotransposition, Ectopic Recombination, Aneuploidy, Whole