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Mutations

A mutation is a permanent change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA. Mutations happen continuously and normally only slightly affect proteins or don't affect them at all. Occasionally, a mutation may change the structure or shape of a protein. All genetic variants arise from mutations.

Undesirable change

Undesirable change

  • The outcome of a mutation is almost always detrimental to protein function.
  • For example, in enzymes, the substrate may no longer be able to bind to the active site. In structural proteins, their strength may be reduced.
  • Some regions of DNA do not encode protein sequences.
    • The term given to these sections is non-coding DNA.
Survival advantage

Survival advantage

  • More rarely, a mutation may give a survival advantage, such as resistance to an antibiotic in bacteria.
  • These mutations can be beneficial and represent the foundation of evolution by natural selection.
Jump to other topics
1

Cell Biology

1.1

What's in Cells?

1.2

Cell Division

1.3

Transport in Cells

2

Organisation

2.1

Principles of Organisation

2.2

Enzymes

2.3

Circulatory System

2.4

Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5

Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3

Infection & Response

4

Bioenergetics

5

Homeostasis & Response

5.1

Homeostasis

5.2

The Human Nervous System

5.3

Hormonal Coordination in Humans

5.4

Plant Hormones

6

Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

6.1

Reproduction

6.2

Variation & Evolution

6.3

Genetics & Evolution

6.4

Classification

7

Ecology

7.1

Adaptations & Interdependence

7.2

Organisation of Ecosystems

7.3

Biodiversity

7.4

Trophic Levels

7.5

Food Production

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